Tissue engineering in Ophthalmology: Regenerating the Anterior Cornea using Self-Aligning Human Recombinant Collagen nanoscaffolds and Corneal Epithelial Stem Cells.

The overall aim of this project is to develop a scaffold with collagen nanofibre alignment to replace the existing use of human amniotic membranes for ocular surface reconstruction. The expected outcome is a standardized prototype composite graft with improved transparency, mechanical strength, bio-integration and reduced microbial susceptibility, realised through combining biomaterials engineering, protein surface modification and stem cell technologies. During the course of this research we intend to bring this prototype to a proof-of-concept in a rabbit model of limbal stem cell deficiency. This cutting-edge research will lay the groundwork for the development of sustainable biomimetic artificial corneas through an extension of its engineering.

Keywords:LENS EPITHELIAL CELLS, OPHTHALMOLOGY

Disciplines:Ophthalmology and optometry

Project type:Collaboration project