A team of researchers from Newcastle University, UK has 3D-printed the first human cornea. This now brings about the possibility of an unlimited supply of corneas, a solution to the significant shortage of corneas available to transplant. An estimated 10 million people worldwide require surgery to prevent corneal blindness.
The proof-of-concept research, published in Experimental Eye Research, highlights the use of a simple low-cost 3D bio-printer. Healthy donor stem cells in the form of human corneal stromal cells were mixed together with alginate and collagen to create a type of ‘bio-ink’ solution that could be printed. In less than 10 minutes, the printer successfully extruded the bio-ink in concentric circles to form the shape of a human cornea. The corneal stem cells successfully grew in culture.
"Our unique gel--a combination of alginate and collagen--keeps the stem cells alive whilst producing a material which is stiff enough to hold its shape but soft enough to be squeezed out the nozzle of a 3D printer,” said study senior co-author Che Connon, Professor of Tissue Engineering at Newcastle University.
He added: "Our 3D printed corneas will now have to undergo further testing and it will be several years before we could be in the position where we are using them for transplants. However, what we have shown is that it is feasible to print corneas using coordinates taken from a patient eye and that this approach has potential to combat the world-wide shortage."
See the full news release.
Source: Newcastle University