The most important challenge for tissue engineering is the design and fabrication of biomaterials that fulfil specific functions according to the needs of society. In the Introduction of this Doctoral Thesis emphasis is placed on the literature review of magnesium based biomaterials in terms of their corrosion behavior under physiological conditions similar to those of the human body. Both commercially available materials and materials under development for application in temporary orthopaedic and cardiovascular implants are reviewed. The main limitation of magnesium based alloys is their low corrosion resistance under physiological conditions leading to premature implant failure.Surface modification of temporary implants is a strategy that enables modulation of surface composition and topography as well as the implant degradation rate according to specific needs. A bibliographic study has been carried out focussing on the advances in hybrid biomaterials achieved through combination of ceramic and polymeric layers, revealing their potential for controlled drug delivery and improved biocompatibility of the implant. The literature review revealed the challenge that loaded drugs can present for the degradation rate of magnesium alloy-based implants. The inhibitory or accelerating effect of the drugs on corrosion behavior of the system is currently overlooked…