A microfabricated 3-D stem cell delivery scaffold for retinal regenerative therapy

Diseases affecting the retina, such as Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD) and Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), result in the degeneration of the photoreceptor cells and can ultimately lead to blindness in patients. There is currently no cure for AMD or RP, and only a few methods exist for slowing the progression of these diseases. Although there has been much recent headway in cell replacement therapy to restore vision loss, a number of challenges still remain. More specifically, there is a need for the development of a device that can deliver a large number of cells to the posterior segment of the eye, while promoting cell survival, differentiation and integration into the retina following transplantation. This research focuses on designing a device to meet these demands and improve the vision of those afflicted with blinding diseases. The specific hypothesis behind the proposed research is that a MEMS-based strategy to engineer a device can provide precisely defined spatial and chemical cues to influence retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) attachment, promote differentiation, and provide physical guidance in a more normal anatomical organization for their integration as neurosensory retina after transplantation to the subretinal space. Therefore, the specific aims of this research are to design, fabricate, and evaluate in vitro a novel ultrathin 3-D device made of polycaprolactone (PCL) for retinal cell replacement synthesized by the stacking, aligning, and bonding of three uniquely designed layers.

Department dc:contributor.department

Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Grantor dc:publisher

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Sodha, Sonal

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sarah Tao and Robert Langer.

• Harvard University--MIT Division of Health Sciences and Technology.

Statement dc:rights

• M.I.T. theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://dspace.mit.edu/handle/1721.1/7582

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/54593

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dspace.mit.edu:1721.1/54593