New biomimetic directions in regenerative ophthalmology

Green, David W., Watson, Gregory S., Watson, Jolanta, and Abraham, Samuel J.K. (2012) New biomimetic directions in regenerative ophthalmology. Advanced Healthcare Materials, 1 (2). pp. 140-148.

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Abstract

One of the most complete and permanent ways of treating many causes of visual impairment and blindness is to replace the entire affected tissue with pre-cultured ocular tissues supported and maintained on biomaterial frameworks. One direction towards enhancing ocular tissue regeneration on biomaterials, in the laboratory is by applying biomimicry. Specifically to engineer biomaterials with important functional elements of the native extracellular matrices, such as topography, that support and organise cells into coherent tissues. Further problems in regenerative ophthalmology can be potentially solved through application of biomimicry. They include, more efficient ways of moving and transplanting cultivated tissues into correct therapeutic locations inside the eye and scar-less, non-destructive healing of surgical incisions and wounds, to repair structural integrity of tissues at the ocular surface. Two examples are given to show this potential for redeveloping an ocular epithelium onto a nanostructured insect wing surface and producing an origami membrane modelled on deployable structures in nature. Efforts to harness natural innovation will eventually provide unique designs and structures that cannot for now be made synthetically, for regeneration of clinically acceptable ocular tissues.

Item ID: 21283
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 2192-2659
Date Deposited: 10 Apr 2012 05:23
FoR Codes: 11 MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES > 1113 Ophthalmology and Optometry > 111301 Ophthalmology @ 80%
02 PHYSICAL SCIENCES > 0299 Other Physical Sciences > 029901 Biological Physics @ 20%
SEO Codes: 92 HEALTH > 9201 Clinical Health (Organs, Diseases and Abnormal Conditions) > 920107 Hearing, Vision, Speech and Their Disorders @ 40%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970111 Expanding Knowledge in the Medical and Health Sciences @ 30%
97 EXPANDING KNOWLEDGE > 970102 Expanding Knowledge in the Physical Sciences @ 30%
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