Russian scientists have created the first functional prototype of a cornea
Russian scientists have made a breakthrough in modern ophthalmology. The first functional prototype cornea was developed at Sechenov University.
Today, people who need a transplant can only hope for donor material, but demand far exceeds supply. According to global statistics, only one in 70 people receive treatment.
"The relevance of this development is obvious. The task of creating an artificial cornea excites the minds of many scientists, because so far this problem has not been solved," said Pyotr Timashev, director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Sechenov University.
The native cornea is made up of collagen. The prototype is also made from it, only it is extracted from animal ligaments.
"We take collagen from animals, purify it and make the corneas. Humans and animals have the same collagen. We take the first type of collagen because it is the dominant one in the cornea. So we can say that they are chemically similar," said Artem Antoshin, head of the Centre for Innovative Collagen Development at Sechenov University.
By developing a unique collagen electrodeposition technology, Russian specialists have obtained a mechanically strong and hypoallergenic material. All that was left to do next was to make it transparent. Leading national ophthalmic surgeons have approved the idea, and preclinical trials have begun. Scientists assess the first results as positive.
"It is completely biocompatible, it is transparent and has the mechanical properties that are required for such operations," Timashev said.
What makes this development unique is the technology used to manufacture the membranes. It allows corneas to be mass-produced, which will reduce their cost and make them affordable for most patients. This was reported by TV BRICS.
"We have an industrial partner who is interested in production. Specifically for humans. The industrial partner has the capacity for production and has all the necessary permits. And this, of course, greatly simplifies our task as scientists - the task of implementation", mentioned the director of the Institute of Regenerative Medicine at Sechenov University.
This success is the result of decades of research. For more than half a century, Russian scientists have been researching the exceptional properties of collagen. It will be several years before mass production of artificial corneas begins, but what is already clear is that millions of people around the world will be able to see the world anew.
Photo: TV BRICS