Bioengineering for Corneal Endothelium Regeneration - Biomaterial Scaffolds and Cell Culture Strategies for Clinical Translation

Explore tissue engineering approaches for corneal endothelium regeneration in this 38-minute webinar presented by PhD student Itzel Becerril-Rojas from Tec de Monterrey. Learn about the critical shortage of corneal tissue donors worldwide and how bioengineering solutions can address corneal endothelial insufficiency as an alternative to traditional corneal transplantation. Discover various biomaterial scaffolds and production techniques designed to support corneal endothelial cell proliferation while maintaining appropriate morphology, density, and optical properties similar to human corneal endothelium. Examine cell culture strategies that enable the development of engineered corneal tissue suitable for standard surgical procedures like Descemet's Membrane endothelial Keratoplasty (DMEK). Understand the challenges involved in translating preclinical research into clinical practice, including technology transfer barriers and clinical implementation hurdles. Gain insights into current research efforts aimed at making corneal regeneration strategies more globally accessible and improving visual health outcomes for patients with corneal endothelial disorders. The presentation covers the intersection of biomaterials science, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine specifically applied to ocular tissues for clinical translation.