Examples of Successful Biomaterial-Based Artificial Tissues—Artificial Corneas

Abstract The first decades of the 21st century are marked by rapid development of technologies that advance regenerative medicine. Development of induced-pluripotent stem cell (iPS) technology in 2006 opened the opportunity for clinical applications of stem-cell treatment for broad range of diseases. The reprogramming technology offers new tools that can be used in tissue engineering and whole organ reconstruction. Combining the biology with biomaterials resulted in implementation of the stem-cell-based devices in ophthalmology especially in cornea reconstruction. Keratoplasty, or corneal transplantation, offers a leading example that artificial organs/tissues could be produced in vitro and safely implanted to patients.