Perinatal stem cells: A promising cell resource for tissue engineering of craniofacial bone

Figure 1 Schematic illustration of the perinatal stem cell-based craniofacial bone tissue engineering. Generally, perinatal stem cells are easily harvested with no harm to the baby or mother and hold a most promising perspective for extensive application in tissue engineering. In the most visionary view, through sophisticated control of perinatal stem cells, biocompatible scaffolds and a signaling system, we will finally be able to bring the perinatal stem cell-based bone tissue engineering strategy to the customized and functional clinical reconstruction of craniofacial bone defects resulting from congenital malformations, osteomyelitis, trauma and tumor resection.