COST Action BM1302 - Joining Forces in Corneal Regeneration Research

Abstract:

Corneal blindness is a worldwide problem and can be treated by transplantation of donor human tissue, or by implantation of artificial, non-biological corneas. However, there is a great lack of donors worldwide and current implants are either expensive or do not integrate well. The solution may be found in the development of biodegradable artificial corneas, consisting of bio-matrices seeded with host limbal stem cells. However, current emerging research is in its early stages and fragmented among research institutes throughout Europe. This COST Action combines scientific, clinical and industrial knowledge in the field of corneal regeneration. This will link researchers in the fields of biomaterial research, stem cell manipulation, tissue engineering, ophthalmology and immunology. This planned collaboration will, not only result in a unique European knowledge base to boost the development of biodegradable artificial corneas from basic research to clinical application, but will also provide the foundation to foster the development of a new generation of cornea specialists that are interested in regenerative medicine, especially in ophthalmology. In regard of the aging population of Europe, such a focus is of great importance to help our increasing population of elderly individuals with corneal disease.

Project details

Action member: Claudio Nastruzzi

 Funding source: COST 

Start date 19/11/2013 - end date 18/11/2017

website

Participants

  • Universitätsklinikum Köln, Germany - Chair
  • Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria
  • Medical University of Vienna, Austria
  • University of Antwerp / Antwerp University Hospital, Belgium
  • Medical University Varna, Bulgaria
  • University of Cyprus, Cyprus
  • Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark
  • University of Helsinki, Finland
  • University of Tampere, Finland
  • INSERM, France
  • University of Cologne, Germany
  • University of Oslo, Norway
  • University of Debrecen, Hungary
  • Trintiy College Dublin, Ireland
  • Irish Blood Transfusion Service / National Blood Centre, Ireland
  • Kaplan medical center, Israel
  • University of Ferrara, Italy
  • University of Turin, Italy
  • Aeon Astron Europe BV, Netherlands
  • Leiden University Medical Center, Netherlands
  • Oslo University Hospital, Norway
  • Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
  • University of Medicine and Pharmacy "Gr. T. Popa" Iasi, Romania
  • Ovidius University, Romania
  • University of Navarra, Spain
  • Andalusian Initiative for Advanced Therapies, Spain
  • Linköpings Universitet, Sweden
  • Hacettepe University, Turkey
  • Ankara University, Turkey
  • University of Nottingham, United Kingdom
  • Queens Medical Centre, United Kingdom
  • Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark
  • Uniklinik Koeln, Germany
  • National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
  • University of Pisa, Italy
  • Fondazione Banca degli Occhi del Veneto ONLUS, Italy
  • UMC Utrecht, Netherlands
  • School of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Serbia
  • Coventry University, United Kingdom
  • Newcastle University, United Kingdom