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In biology, a scaffold is a structure used in tissue engineering to support the growth of new tissue. These scaffolds can be made from natural materials like collagen or synthetic, biodegradable polymers.

Cells are seeded onto the scaffold, and then incubated with growth factors. These factors encourage the cells to grow and divide, forming a new tissue. Once implanted, the scaffold is eventually absorbed by the body. This process is crucial for developing biological substitutes for damaged or diseased tissues, such as skin, cartilage, and bone.1

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