Evaluation of adult stem cell differentiation in the trabecular meshwork of the eye as a regenerative medicine approach for Glaucoma using novel polym

青光眼是世界上不可逆失明的主要原因，是一种影响老年人视力的视神经病变。迫切需要新的方法来治疗青光眼和再生医学的方法提供了希望。TM是胶原蛋白束的三维筛状结构，内衬TM细胞。随着眼睛年龄的增长，功能性TM细胞的数量下降，在青光眼中加速下降。我们已经在TM中发现了具有干细胞样特性的细胞群。为什么这些细胞不会随着我们年龄的增长而重新填充TM结构是未知的。这个令人兴奋的合作项目将研究TM细胞在改变的3D结构中分化、迁移和重新填充TM光束的能力。该项目的目的是：i)评估干细胞/祖细胞分化和在新型3D聚合物支架上以不同刚度涂有不同细胞外基质（ECM）成分的再生，然后ii)在离体人青光眼灌注模型中进行功能测试。3D支架的研究将与我们的工业案例合作伙伴spheritage合作。这种新型聚合物结构是基于一种专利交联肽，聚ε -赖氨酸（peK），它非常类似于眼睛中TM的3D结构。因此，该项目适合具有不同STEM背景的毕业生，包括对生物学和生物技术感兴趣的工程师。

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world and is an optic neuropathy affecting the vision of older adults. There is an urgent need for new approaches to treat Glaucoma and a regenerative medicine approach offers promise. The TM is 3D sieve-like structure of collagen beams lined with TM cells. As the eye ages, the number of functional TM cells declines, and this is accelerated in Glaucoma. We have identified groups of cells with stem cell-like properties residing in the TM. Why these cells do not repopulate the TM structure as we age is unknown. This exciting collaborative project will investigate the ability of TM cells to differentiate, migrate and repopulate the TM beams in altered 3D architecture. The aim of this project is to: i) assess stem/progenitor cell differentiation and repopulation on novel 3D polymer scaffolds coated with different extracellular matrix (ECM) components at varying degrees of stiffness before ii) functional testing in ex-vivo human glaucoma perfusion models. Investigation of the 3D scaffolds will be in collaboration with our industrial Case Partner, Spheritech. The novel polymer structures are based upon a patented cross-linked peptide, poly-epsilon-lysine (peK) which closely resembles the 3D structure of the TM in the eye. The project is therefore appropriate for graduates with a diverse STEM background inclusive of engineers with an interest in biology and biotechnology.