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Engineering a scaffold based therapy for corneal regeneration

Description du projet

Examen approfondi de la régénération du tissu cornéen

La cécité cornéenne impose un fardeau économique et social important à des millions de personnes dans le monde. Alors que les greffes de cornée offrent un espoir de restauration de la vision, la rareté des donneurs de cornées appropriées nécessite l’exploration de traitements alternatifs. Les approches antérieures de l’ingénierie du tissu cornéen reposaient sur des cellules de donneurs et sur une culture in vitro prolongée, ce qui présentait des limites. Le projet EyeRegen, financé par l’UE, vise à mettre au point une nouvelle méthode de régénération du tissu cornéen. En concevant des échafaudages cornéens artificiels, EyeRegen éliminera le besoin de dons de cellules et de cultures in vitro étendues. Les échafaudages recruteront les propres cellules du patient pour régénérer la cornée après l’implantation. Ces échafaudages de biomatériaux intégreront des signaux chimiques et physiques personnalisés pour attirer les cellules et stimuler la formation de tissus, révolutionnant ainsi le domaine de la régénération de la cornée.

Objectif

Corneal blindness resulting from disease, physical injury or chemical burns affects millions worldwide and has a considerable economic and social impact on the lives of people across Europe. In many cases corneal transplants can restore vision however the shortage of donor corneas suitable for transplantation has necessitated the development of alternative treatments. The aim of this project is to develop a new approach to corneal tissue regeneration. Previous approaches at engineering corneal tissue have required access to donor cells and lengthy culture periods in an attempt to grow tissue in vitro prior to implantation with only limited success and at great expense. Our approach will differ fundamentally from these in that we will design artificial corneal scaffolds that do not require donated cells or in vitro culture but instead will recruit the patient’s own cells to regenerate the cornea post-implantation. These biomaterial scaffolds will incorporate specific chemical and physical cues with the deliberate aim of attracting cells and inducing tissue formation. Studies will be undertaken to examine how different chemical, biochemical, physical and mechanical cues can be used to control the behaviour of corneal epithelial, stromal and endothelial cells. Once the optimal combination of these cues has been determined, this information will be incorporated into the design of the scaffold. Recent advances in manufacturing and material processing technology will enable us to develop scaffolds with organized nanometric architectures and that incorporate controlled growth factor release mechanisms. Techniques such as 3D bio-printing and nanofiber electrospinning will be used to fabricate scaffolds. The ability of the scaffold to attract cells and promote matrix remodelling will be examined by developing an in vitro bioreactor system capable of mimicking the ocular environment and by performing in vivo tests using a live animal model.

Régime de financement

ERC-STG - Starting Grant

Institution d’accueil

THE PROVOST, FELLOWS, FOUNDATION SCHOLARS & THE OTHER MEMBERS OF BOARD, OF THE COLLEGE OF THE HOLY & UNDIVIDED TRINITY OF QUEEN ELIZABETH NEAR DUBLIN
Contribution nette de l'UE
€ 1 498 734,00
Adresse
COLLEGE GREEN TRINITY COLLEGE
D02 CX56 DUBLIN 2
Irlande

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Région
Ireland Eastern and Midland Dublin
Type d’activité
Higher or Secondary Education Establishments
Liens
Coût total
€ 1 498 734,00

Bénéficiaires (1)