Chapter 4 Ceramic Biomaterials for Tissue Engineering Sandra Pina 1,2 , Rui. L. Reis 1,2 and Joaquim M. Oliveira 1,2 1 3B´s Research Group – Biomaterials, Biodegradables and Biomimetics, University of Minho, Headquarters of the European Institute of Excellence on Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine, AvePark - Parque de Ciência e Tecnologia, Zona Industrial da Gandra, 4805-017 Barco, Guimarães, Portugal; 2 ICVS/3B’s - PT Government Associate Laboratory, Braga/Guimarães, Portugal. LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ATZ Alumina-toughened zirconia BMPs Bone morphogenetic proteins CaPs Calcium phosphates CPCs Calcium phosphates cements ECM Extracellular matrix HA Hydroxyaptite hBMSCs Human bone marrow stromal cells MSCs Mesenchymal stem cells RBMSCs Rat bone marrow stromal cells β-TCP β-tricalcium phosphate TE Tissue engineering TZP Zirconia polycrystals ZTA Zirconia-toughened alumina Abstract Bioceramics, natural and synthetic, are designed to induce a strong bonding to bone and appeared as an alternative to metallic implants. Bioceramic materials currently used for the repair and reconstruction of hard and soft tissues can be categorized according its composition, structure, and properties. These biomaterials are grouped bioinert ceramics as alumina and zirconia, bioactive glasses and glass ceramics and bioresorbable calcium phosphates-based materials. The bioceramics concepts, namely physico-chemical, mechanical and biological properties, and respective applications in diverse fields of tissue engineering are discussed in depth herein. An up- to-date of bioceramics clinical trials is also considered. Based on the stringent requirements for