New EU Program to train the next-generation Eye Therapy Experts

A new European research and training doctoral network, STEM-CORE, has been awarded funding by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). Through research tackling one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide: corneal disease, a condition that remains difficult to treat, this network enables an international intersectoral team to train a new generation of researchers for better treatment of damaged corneas.

STEM-CORE

STEM-CORE aims to develop a sustainable and affordable stem cell therapy to restore vision in patients with corneal blindness caused by stem cell deficiency. The doctoral network, led by Jo Huiqing Zhou, from Research Institute for Molecular Life Science (RIMLS) – Science of uu77, brings together top scientists and supervisors in institutions from 9 countries across Europe, from both academic and non-academic sectors. Another uu77 partner, Paul Kouwer, working at Institute for Molecules and Materials (IMM), contributes to the project by designing advanced biomaterials needed for these eye treatments.

Through innovative, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research, STEM-CORE offers a training program that covers a complete trajectory of stem cell therapy development. The young researchers will acquire a full set of research and transferable skills that enable them to develop future innovative eye therapies from the lab to the clinic, as well as enhance their career prospects across academia and industry.

Research of the Zhou group at RIMLS-Science, the network coordinator

The Zhou group focuses on fundamental understanding of stem cell function in development and disease. In STEN-CORE, the group will use a data-driven approach to efficiently generate high-quality human induced pluripotent stem cell derived corneal stem cells for future cell therapy, by leveraging state-of-the-art single cell technologies.

Research of the Kouwer group at the IMM, as partner

The Kouwer group focuses on soft hydrogels for biomedical applications. They developed the PIC gel, that can be used as an animal-free matrix for cell culture. In STEM-CORE, the group will design and generate gels that are optimized for corneal (stem) cell and organoid culture, which will be tested in close collaboration with the Zhou research group and other partners of STEM-CORE. In addition, the spin-off SBMatrices that will commercialize the PIC technology joins the doctoral network as an associate partner.

MSCA Doctoral Networks

MSCA Doctoral Networks are international PhD programmes where universities and companies work together to train researchers. They offer research and skills training to prepare students for careers in and outside academia.

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