Cornea-on-chip

Scope of the method

The Method relates to
  • Human health
The Method is situated in
  • Basic Research
  • Regulatory use - Routine production
  • Translational - Applied Research
Type of method
  • In vitro - Ex vivo
This method makes use of
  • Human derived cells / tissues / organs
Specify the type of cells/tissues/organs
Corneal cells

Description

Method keywords
  • cornea-on-chip
  • Cornea
  • organ-on-chip
  • microfluidics
Scientific area keywords
  • Tissue engineering
  • in vitro 3D modelling
  • Ophtalmology
  • pharmacokinetics
  • Extracellular matrices
Method description

The main objective of this research project is to create the first full-thickness cornea-on-chip, which comprises a 3D construct with every cellular layer of the cornea. This construct is embedded in a microfluidic chip with two channels that are continuously perfused. The epithelial side of the construct is exposed to an artificial tear film and the endothelial side is connected to an artificial anterior chamber. The former allows injection of ophthalmic formulations and simulates the physiology of the tear film while the latter can be used for sampling and providing nutrients.

Lab equipment

Pumps

Method status
  • Still in development

Pros, cons & Future potential

Advantages
  • - Controlled environment for compound testing
  • - Human tissue
  • - In vitro method with near in vivo accuracy
Challenges
  • - No fundamental studies on corneal development
Modifications
  • - Corneal nerves,
  • - Corneal microbiome,
  • - Corneal immune system,
  • - Integrated readout.
Future & Other applications
  • - Corneal disease modelling,
  • - Pharmacodynamics.

Contact person

Joris Van Meenen

Organisations

University of Antwerp (UAntwerpen)
Translational Neurosciences
Belgium