part Part I Processing and Applications of Biodegradable Systems -- chapter 1 Biodegradable Polymers in Medicine -- chapter 2 Injectable Biodegradable Systems -- chapter 3 Injectable Polymeric Scaffolds for Bone Tissue Engineering -- chapter 4 Totally or Partially Biodegradable Self-Polymerizing Composites for Orthopedic Surgery and Dental Applications -- chapter 5 Fiber Bonding and Particle Aggregation as Promising Methodologies for the Fabrication of Biodegradable Scaffolds for Hard-Tissue Engineering -- chapter 6 Design and Fabrication of Scaffolds via Solid Free-Form Fabrication -- chapter 7 Biodegradable Composites for Biomedical Applications -- chapter 8 Development of Bioactive Composites Based on Biodegradable Systems for Bone Replacement Applications -- chapter 9 Mechanical Characterization of Biomaterials -- chapter 10 Chitosan-Based Microcomposites-From Biodegradable Microparticles to Self-Curing Hydrogels -- chapter 11 Processing and Biomedical Applications of Degradable Polymeric Fibers -- chapter 12 Understanding the Enzymatic Degradation of Biodegradable Polymers and Strategies to Control Their Degradation Rate -- part Part II Production of Biomimetic Coatings on the Surface of Degradable Polymers -- chapter 13 Bonelike Apatite Coatings Nucleated on Biodegradable Polymers as a Way to Induce Bone Mineralization: Current Developments and Future Trends -- chapter 14 Biomimetic Coatings, Proteins, and Biocatalysts: A New Approach to Tailor the Properties of Biodegradable Polymers -- part Part III Systems for Controlled Release of Bioactive Agents -- chapter 15 Strategies for Delivering Bone and Cartilage Regenerating Factors -- chapter 16 Resorbable Polymeric Delivery Systems Based on Physical Absorption/Diffusion versus Chemically Controlled Delivery Systems -- chapter 17 Enzyme Immobilization in Biodegradable Polymers for Biomedical Applications -- chapter 18 Use of Chemically Modified Chitosan and Other Natural-Origin Polymers in Tissue Engineering and Drug Delivery -- part Part IV Biocompatibility and Immunological Responses to Degradable Biomaterials -- chapter 19 Cytotoxicity Screening of Biodegradable Polymeric Systems -- chapter 20 Natural-Origin Degradable Materials: The Barrier or the Passage through the Immune System? -- chapter 21 Mediation of the Cytokine Network in the Implantation of Orthopedic Devices -- chapter 22 Protein and Cell Interactions with Biodegradable Systems -- chapter 23 Surface Activation and Modification-A Way for Improving the Biocompatibility of Degradable Biomaterials -- part Part V Biodegradable Polymers for the Engineering and Regeneration of Different Tissues -- chapter 24 Bone and Articular Cartilage Tissue Engineering: The Biological Components -- chapter 25 Tissue Engineering of the Liver -- chapter 26 Smart Biodegradable Hydrogels with Applications in Drug Delivery and Tissue Engineering -- chapter 27 Skin Tissue Engineering Part I-Review -- chapter 28 Skin Tissue Engineering Part II-The In Vitro Evaluation of Natural and Synthetic 3-D Matrices as Dermal Substrates -- chapter 29 Biodegradable Polymers for Guided Nerve Regeneration.