Cellulose-Based Composites in Tissue Engineering

Cellulose-based biomaterials have emerged as transformative platforms in tissue engineering, offering unparalleled biocompatibility, sustainability, and versatility. This comprehensive review examines the diverse applications of cellulose composites across bone, soft tissue, neural, and cardiovascular regeneration. This chapter systematically explores bacterial cellulose (BC), plant-derived cellulose, and nanocellulose variants, detailing their structural properties, mechanical characteristics, and biological performance. Key applications include cellulose-hydroxyapatite composites for bone regeneration, achieving compressive strengths of 40–100 MPa, conductive cellulose-polymer systems for neural interfaces with conductivities up to 10 S/cm, and BC dressings demonstrating 20–30% faster wound healing. The review encompasses advanced functionalities including pH-responsive drug delivery, antimicrobial composites, and bioelectronic platforms. Commercial successes such as Biofill® and XCell® wound dressings illustrate successful clinical translation. Manufacturing challenges, regulatory pathways, and quality control requirements are addressed alongside emerging applications in 3D bioprinting and smart responsive systems. This work positions cellulose as a cornerstone biomaterial for sustainable, high-performance tissue engineering solutions.