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

青光眼是世界上导致不可逆性失明的主要原因，是一种影响老年人视力的视神经病变。目前迫切需要治疗青光眼的新方法，而再生医学方法提供了希望。TM是由内衬TM细胞的胶原梁组成的3D筛状结构。随着眼睛的老化，功能性TM细胞的数量会减少，这在青光眼中会加速。我们已经确定了TM中存在的具有干细胞样特性的细胞组。为什么随着我们年龄的增长，这些细胞不会重新填充TM结构，这一点不得而知。这个令人兴奋的合作项目将研究TM细胞在改变的3D架构中分化、迁移和重新填充TM光束的能力。本项目的目的是：i)在体外人类青光眼灌流模型中进行功能测试之前，评估不同硬度的不同细胞外基质(ECM)成分涂层的新型3D聚合物支架上干/祖细胞的分化和再分化。对3D脚手架的调查将与我们的工业案例合作伙伴Spheritech合作。这种新颖的聚合物结构是基于一种专利的交联肽--聚表位赖氨酸(PEK)，它与眼睛中TM的3D结构非常相似。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.