A novel storage method for cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells for transplantation

The primary objective of the project is to develop better storage technology for cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells, due to the importance of such cells in the treatment of several retinal diseases, including age-related macular degeneration and St argardt disease. Age-related macular degeneration is a leading cause of blindness in the western world. A secondary objective of the project is to develop better storage media for other important cell types and tissues to be used in regenerative medicine . Our novel storage medium, or a modification of it, may also prove effective for storage of other cultured cells. However, at present time, we only have data on storage of cultured retinal pigment epithelial cells. We will apply the storage technology de veloped in the present project to evaluate the effect on storage of insulin producing beta-cells as such storage technology might become important in the future treatment of diabetes. We will also assess the feasibility of using our storage medium for cul tured epidermal cells for the treatment of several dermatological conditions, including diabetic ulcers. The project is carried out in collaboration with Inven2.