In one aspect, the invention provides methods for forming a target tissue
substitute. The methods of the invention comprise the following steps:
(a) providing a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or more
arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of microfibers
is designed to mimic the configuration of one or more structural elements
in a target tissue; and (b) culturing cells on the scaffold to form a
target tissue substitute. In another aspect, the invention provides
implantable medical devices. The implantable medical devices of the
invention comprise a scaffold comprising one or more layers of one or
more arrays of microfibers, wherein one or more of the arrays of
microfibers is arranged to mimic the configuration of one or more
structural elements in a target tissue. Typically, cells are cultured on
the scaffold to form a target tissue substitute.