Dr. Krishna Pramanik

Abstract:

Corneal epithelial tissue regeneration presents a significant clinical challenge due to its avascular nature and complex structural organization. In recent years, developing polymeric composite material with desired optical transparency, tensile strength, biodegradability, porosity and corneal tissue responsive properties for repairing the damaged corneal epithelium is striving. By integrating biomimetic cues, such as ECM-derived peptides, flavonoids, and growth factors with polymeric blends, the resulting biomaterials are tailored thereby smart biomaterials can be developed to facilitate corneal epithelial regeneration. This research illustrates the designing of a biomaterial from the cocktail of silk fibroin, gelatin and polycaprolactone tri-polymeric complex functionalized with plant extract like curcumin that possesses the desirable properties suited for corneal epithelial tissue engineering applications. This biocomposite was used to fabricate a two-dimensional matrix which mimics the native extracellular matrix of corneal epithelium by electrospinning technique. The developed matrix was demonstrated to have desired tensile strength, in vitro biodegradability, controlled swelling, porosity, antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. The in vitro biocompatibility of the matrix revealed that the biomaterials promotes cellular attachment, growth and differentiation of SIRC (Statens Seruminstitut rabbit cornea) cell line. This lecture will discuss on multidisciplinary strategy to develop a smart biomaterial with desired biomimetic properties for effective corneal epithelial tissue regeneration by citing the above research as an example.