Creating a 3D-printed artificial cornea to restore vision
Official title: 3D bioprinting of a bilayered, tissue engineered cornea
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11001162 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new 3D-printed artificial cornea to help people with corneal blindness see better, offering a solution that doesn't depend on donor tissue and can be made whenever it's needed.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | January 1, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $532,313 |
| NIH project number | 5R01EY035697-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11001162 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with corneal blindness who are unable to receive traditional corneal transplants due to donor tissue shortages.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with corneal blindness who are not suitable candidates for any form of corneal transplantation may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a 3D-printed, bilayered artificial cornea to address corneal blindness, which affects millions globally. By utilizing advanced bioprinting techniques, the team aims to create a cornea that mimics the natural structure and function of human tissue, incorporating specialized biomaterials and stem cells to enhance healing and transparency. The project seeks to overcome the limitations of current corneal transplants, which rely on scarce donor tissue, by providing a viable alternative that can be produced on demand. Patients may benefit from improved access to sight-restoring treatments without the need for donor tissue.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new, accessible treatment option for patients suffering from corneal blindness.
How similar studies have gone: While the approach of 3D bioprinting for tissue engineering is relatively novel, there have been promising advancements in similar fields, indicating potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Heilshorn, Sarah C — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Heilshorn, Sarah C
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.