In vitro and clinical comparison of corneal grafts cultured in serum free medium or standard serum supplemented medium in patients with degeneration of the corneal endothelium

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This project is aimed at providing comparative clinical research data about an alternative method of in vitro cultivation of corneal grafts based on a newly developed serum free culture medium. Corneals grafts cultured under serum free conditions will be compared to corneal grafts cultured in a serum supplemented medium prior to and up to 12 months after transplantation in patients suffering from either Fuchs endothelial dystrophy or secondary endothelial decompensation. The results of this study will potentially influence the current technology of organ culturing of donor corneas by introducing a serum free culture method, allowing a better quality of corneal grafts, longer culture periods, defined and reproducible culturing conditions, eliminated risk if disease transfer and independence from the ever growing deficit of high quality bovine serum on the world market.