Biofabrication approaches for the development of smart multifunctional biomaterials for corneal healing

Project details: Corneal disease affects millions worldwide, especially in developing countries where it’s more common. While treatments like corneal transplantation and the use of membranes such as the amniotic membrane (AM) have shown promise, AM is expensive and not always available.

In collaboration with the LV Prasad Institute (LVPEI) in India, researchers at Sheffield have been working on making corneal treatments simpler and more accessible. One approach involves creating a synthetic substitute for AM that includes microfeatures mimicking the limbal niches of the cornea, where stem cells reside. Initial prototypes with these features were seen as valuable by LVPEI’s clinical partners, potentially aiding surgery without the need for expensive and hard-to-access fibrin glue. When designing materials as substitutes for AM, it is also crucial to adopt multifunctional approaches, given that AM exhibits both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.

Our project aims to design and produce a new microfabricated corneal membrane using electrospinning and additive manufacturing. This membrane will include an outer layer that degrades quickly, releasing anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial agents directly onto the wound-bed. Initial tests in our group have shown promise when using Ibuprofen as anti-inflammatory and essential oils as antimicrobials; the use of antimicrobial oils for eye infections is emerging as a powerful approach to combat antimicrobial resistance.

The student conducting this research will engage in a highly interdisciplinary project, integrating advanced manufacturing methods with biological assessments to develop a membrane for corneal healing. They will enjoy the supportive atmosphere offered by Dr. Ilida Ortega Asencio’s team and will also have the invaluable chance to collaborate with LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in India by exploring their optimized 3D corneal ex vivo models.

Entry Requirements:

Candidates must have a first or upper second-class honours degree or significant research experience in the areas of Biomedicine, Bioengineering, Biology, Chemistry or Materials Science.

How to apply:

Please complete a University Postgraduate Research Application form available here: www.shef.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/apply

Please clearly state the prospective main supervisor in the respective box and select (School of Clinical Dentistry) as the department.