For the period
2014-2018, the team of the Ophthalmology and Visual Science Department
participated actively in COST (1302) – Corneal Regeneration. In addition to the
numerous meetings and seminars that were held, the Department`s team hosted in
2016 a Summer School, in which more than twenty young scientists from different
European countries participated. The Vice Rector of Medical University - Varna
and a member of COST (1302) - Corneal regeneration, Prof. Dr. Hristina
Grupcheva commented that besides the invaluable contacts, the participation of
the Bulgarian ophthalmologists was the basis for the creation of a bank for
amniotic membrane, cornea and sclera at UMHAT "St. Marina" - Varna.
However, the research and the desire for translational medicine are not limited
to this. The scientists of the Medical University-Varna have also created a
unique biological product, which has the potential to restore the vision of
many people. The international and interdisciplinary team of the Ophthalmology
and Visual Sciences Department believes that COST (1302) - Corneal regeneration
has given new horizons to the research and clinical work and plans to
participate in all future initiatives on the basis of the established
scientific network.
You can see the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9r51flS6QHM
COST incorporates scientific, clinical and industrial knowledge in the field of corneal renewal and connects researchers in the area of biomaterial research, stem cell manipulation, tissue engineering, ophthalmology and immunology. This collaboration will lead to a unique European knowledge basis in order to promote the development of biodegradable artificial cornea from the stage of basic research to clinical application. Moreover, it will also provide the foundation for encouraging the development of a new generation of cornea specialists, interested in regenerative medicine, especially in ophthalmology.
Velina Markovska
