Development Of A Cultured Tissue Substitute To Repair The Ageing Retina
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$63,267.00
Summary
The ultimate goal of my research is to develop an effective, affordable and accessible treatment for patients afflicted with age related macular degeneration (AMD). The novelty of my study is that I will use a protein extracted from silk as a form of scaffold on which to grow new retinal tissue, with the view to replacing the damaged tissue that eventually leads to permanent loss of sight in AMD patients.
Application Of Adult Stem Cells To Bioengineered Corneal Epithelium And Endothelium Autografts
Funder
National Health and Medical Research Council
Funding Amount
$92,314.00
Summary
Damage to the cornea causes vision loss. Transplants can restore sight but carry risk of rejection and therefore require anti-rejection therapy, which has side effects. Bioengineered corneal components could replace transplants. Our goals are: 1) Growth of corneal endothelium and epithelium from adult stem cells to reduce the amount of tissue so the patient's own cells could be used. 2) Develop scaffolds that are suitable for implantation or other methods to deliver cells.