Particular aspects provide novel devices for
bone tissue engineering, comprising a
metal or
metal-based composite member / material comprising an interior macroporous structure in which
porosity may vary from 0-90% (v), the member comprising a surface region having a surface pore size,
porosity, and composition designed to encourage
cell growth and adhesion thereon, to provide a device suitable for
bone tissue engineering in a recipient subject. In certain aspects, the device further comprises a gradient of pore size,
porosity, and material composition extending from the surface region throughout the interior of the device, wherein the gradient transition is continuous, discontinuous or seamless and the growth of cells extending from the surface region inward is promoted. Additional aspects provide a device for
bone tissue engineering, comprising a
metal or metal-based composite member / material comprising an interior porous structure, wherein the pore size, porosity and material composition is selected to provide a device having an
optimal density and / or
elastic modulus and / or compression strength for a specific recipient. Novel methods for fabricating the devices are also provided.