Multi-scale approach to reconstruct a bioartificial system of system: the example of the bone-tendon-muscle continuum

Biomimetic approaches in tissue engineering consist in collecting knowledge for native tissues or organs to propose novel solutions to reconstruct them in vitro. As an example, the musculo-skeletal continuum can be described using a system of system vision. An engineered musculo-skeletal tissue can thus be analyzed as a technological system of system, combining different types of cells and materials, whose properties at different scales are interdependent and affected by changes observed in the different component systems. We propose here to reconstruct the major components, having in mind the objective of their further integration in the final product. The final biohybrid bone-tendon-muscle continuum could thus be very useful as organ substitute, but also as relevant in vitro model to investigate scientific questions such as tissue healing or aging.