Polymers from natural sources are particularly useful as biomaterials and in regenerative medicine, due to their similarity to the extracellular matrix and other polymers in the human body. This course reviews both new and well known natural-based biomedical polymers, together with their applications as implantable biomaterials, scaffolds for tissue engineering and controlled release carriers. It includes the sources, processing and properties of various polysaccharides and proteins, as well as methods for surface modification to improve their functionality. Special emphasis will be given to collagen, hyaluronic acid and alginates.