Using a nano-composite gel sheet developed by Kawamura Institute of Chemical Research, Japan, the scientists at NCRM and Ophthalmologists at Light Eye Hospital, Dharmapuri have successfully transplanted lab grown corneal endothelial precursor- stem cells to a bull’s eye in a simple and reproducible methodology paving way for future transplantation of one cadaver-eye derived corneal stem cells multiplied and be applicable in more than one patient’s eye.

This work has been published in the journal “Current Eye Research” (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24144454) Earlier, lab grown corneal endothelial stem cells have been transplanted to animal eyes with simple injection and eye-fixed position for 36 Hrs which is practically not feasible in patients.

This methodology using a chemically synthesized nano-composite sheet makes things safer without biological contamination and also easy to accomplish clinically without the need for an eye-down position, said Dr Parikumar, Consultant Ophthalmologist.

Previously we had proven that it is possible to transport the cells without cool preservation using a polymer scaffold (http://www.ijo.in/preprintarticle.asp?id=116457) and now this successful feat of the animal-eye transplantation makes us closer to bed side he added.