Theranostic biomaterials for tissue engineering

Tissue engineering strategies, notably biomaterials, can be modularly designed and tuned to match specific patient needs. Although many challenges within tissue engineering remain, the incorporation of diagnostic strategies to create theranostic (combined therapy and diagnostic) biomaterials presents a unique platform to provide dual monitoring and treatment capabilities and advance the field toward personalized technologies. In this review, we summarize recent developments in this young field of regenerative theranostics and discuss the clinical potential and outlook of these systems from a tissue engineering perspective. As the need for precision and personalized medicines continues to increase to address diseases in all tissues in a patient-specific manner, we envision that such theranostic platforms can serve these needs.