Launching Biohybrid.NRW: SFB 1607 Advances the ‘Artificial Cornea’ Research Focus in a New Statewide Network

The newly founded Leuchtturm Biohybrid.NRW network by the Medizin.NRW Cluster aims to connect and strengthen the highly interdisciplinary field of biohybrid medicine across North Rhine-Westphalia. Biohybrid approaches merge biological and technical components—from bioinspired and hybrid materials to interactive interfaces—to enable innovative diagnostic and therapeutic solutions.

Our Collaborative Research Centre SFB 1607 and the MSCA EU project Stem-Core contribute significantly to the “Artificial Cornea” focus area. At the University Eye Hospital Cologne, an interdisciplinary team working in ophthalmology, stem cell research, materials science and photobiology (including within SFB 1607) aims to improve transplant survival in vascularized high-risk eyes, where human corneal grafts are typically rejected early.

The research targets two major objectives:

1. Enhancing the biocompatibility and long-term stability of artificial corneas such as Boston KPro and EndoArt in high-risk transplantation settings.

2. Minimising immune responses and tissue degradation after high-risk transplantation through photobiological preconditioning using UV-A light.

Within the Stem-Core project, stem cell researchers additionally work on optimising stem cell transplantation strategies in high-risk corneal environments.

By establishing Biohybrid.NRW, a powerful statewide network now brings together leading expertise and drives innovation in this crucial future field.