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Scientists have developed a biological system which lets cells form a desired shape by moulding their surrounding material - initially creating the world's first self-curving cornea.



The cornea is the clear outer layer at the front of the eye ball.



In the research, a flat circle of gel containing corneal stromal cells (stem cells) was activated with a serum so that the edges of the gel contracted at a different rate to the centre, drawing up the edge over the course of 5 days to form a bowl-like curved cornea.



This time-lapsed video shows this astonishing process.





The video shows: The cornea moulding itself into a bowl-like structure over the course of 5 days. A three component gel comprising collagen, corneal stromal cells and peptide amphiphiles (inner circle) is combined with a two component gel comprising collagen and corneal stromal cells (outer circle). When triggered with a serum containing growth factors the outer ring of cells contracts more than the inner ring resulting in the progressive curvature of the structure. Credit: Wiley-VCH/Newcastle University

The research is published in Advanced Functional Materials and was led by Professor Che Connon, professor of tissue engineering, Newcastle University. He says: “Currently there is a shortage of donated corneas which has worsened in recent years, as they cannot be used from anyone who has had laser eye surgery so we need to explore alternatives such as these self-curving corneas.



“The cells are triggered into forming a complex 3D structure, but as this requires time to occur, the fourth dimension in this equation, we have labelled them 4D structures.”



The 4D formation is achieved by the innovative use of cells as biological actuators, components which get the parts moving. In this case, the cells themselves force the surrounding tissue to move in a pre-determined manner over time.



"The technology and understanding we have developed holds enormous potential as these corneas show that engineered tissue shape can be controlled by cell actuators." -Professor Che Connon, professor of Tissue Engineering



Remodeling the structure from the inside