INTRODUCTION: Advantages of synthetic polymers as a scaffolding material include the ability to produce them on a large scale and the ability to tailor their physical and mechanical properties to exact specification. A continuing difficulty is the uncertainty of cell seeding, largely due to a non-ideal surface chemistry. Natural biopolymers on the other hand, provide a substrate for cell-adhesion, are highly organized, and have the ability to induce tissue growth. A main disadvantage, however, is that they are less readily available and their mechanical and physical properties are difficult to control. The concept of combining these two biomaterials and their advantages is attractive. In this study we have fabricated a hybrid construct consisting of a synthetic polymer mesh coated with hyperhydrated collagen gels, which were plastic compressed
