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Hyderabad scientists create India’s first 3D-printed cornea | Hyderabad News
HYDERABAD: In a gift to the nation on 75th Independence Day, city scientists have developed India’s first 3D-printed cornea and successfully tested it on a rabbit.
Though it may take years of research before the 3D-printed cornea can be eventually used on humans, the success in the animal model provides much-needed hope to those who lost vision through corneal afflictions. Developed from human corneal tissue by teams from LV Prasad Eye Institute, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the cornea is natural and does not involve artificial material.
The ‘bio-ink’ (raw material) for 3D printing was derived from human donor corneal tissue.
What is interesting is that a bulk of funds for research came from philanthropists. As per researchers, the 3Dprinted cornea “is completely natural and does not contain synthetic components. Also, it is free of animal residue and safe for use”.
Three corneas can be 3Dprinted from each donated human cornea.
Dr Sayan Basu and Dr Vivek Singh, who led the research team from LV Prasad Eye Institute, said the technology will help treat diseases like corneal scarring (opacity) and keratoconus (thinning of cornea). They said it is the first 3-D printed human cornea, which is optically and physically suitable for transplantation.
“The bio-ink used in 3Dprinted cornea can be sightsaving for soldiers as it seals corneal perforation and prevents infections in injuries suffered during war or deployment in remote areas, where there is no tertiary eye care facility,” they said.
More than 1.5 million people become blind due to corneal issues every year. Currently, the only remedy is corneal transplantation. The technology could help bridge the gap between demand and supply of cornea.
“Although corneal substitutes are being actively researched throughout the world, they are either animal-based or synthetic. Pig or other animal-based products are unacceptable in India and most parts of the developing world due to social and religious acceptability,” the researchers said, explaining how 3D-printed cornea is relatively affordable.
CCMB senior scientist B Kiran Kumar said it will be interesting to see how the bio-printed cornea will integrate and contribute to vision restoration.
The research team comprised among others Shibu Chameettachal, Deeksha Prasad and Yash Parekh. The translational work leading up to clinical trials in patients will be funded through a grant from Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation, Vijayawada.
Though it may take years of research before the 3D-printed cornea can be eventually used on humans, the success in the animal model provides much-needed hope to those who lost vision through corneal afflictions. Developed from human corneal tissue by teams from LV Prasad Eye Institute, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, and Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), the cornea is natural and does not involve artificial material.
The ‘bio-ink’ (raw material) for 3D printing was derived from human donor corneal tissue.
What is interesting is that a bulk of funds for research came from philanthropists. As per researchers, the 3Dprinted cornea “is completely natural and does not contain synthetic components. Also, it is free of animal residue and safe for use”.
Three corneas can be 3Dprinted from each donated human cornea.
Dr Sayan Basu and Dr Vivek Singh, who led the research team from LV Prasad Eye Institute, said the technology will help treat diseases like corneal scarring (opacity) and keratoconus (thinning of cornea). They said it is the first 3-D printed human cornea, which is optically and physically suitable for transplantation.
“The bio-ink used in 3Dprinted cornea can be sightsaving for soldiers as it seals corneal perforation and prevents infections in injuries suffered during war or deployment in remote areas, where there is no tertiary eye care facility,” they said.
More than 1.5 million people become blind due to corneal issues every year. Currently, the only remedy is corneal transplantation. The technology could help bridge the gap between demand and supply of cornea.
“Although corneal substitutes are being actively researched throughout the world, they are either animal-based or synthetic. Pig or other animal-based products are unacceptable in India and most parts of the developing world due to social and religious acceptability,” the researchers said, explaining how 3D-printed cornea is relatively affordable.
CCMB senior scientist B Kiran Kumar said it will be interesting to see how the bio-printed cornea will integrate and contribute to vision restoration.
The research team comprised among others Shibu Chameettachal, Deeksha Prasad and Yash Parekh. The translational work leading up to clinical trials in patients will be funded through a grant from Sree Padmavathi Venkateswara Foundation, Vijayawada.
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