Cornea and Ocular Surface – Translational Research in Ophthalmology

The group is characterized by "bench and bedside" research on tissues and fluids of the eye-- in particular tears, conjunctival and corneal cells, secretions of the meibomian glands, cell cultures, and in vitro organ cultures, as well as in vivo research conducted in an outpatient area equipped with specific instrumentation for the ocular surface.

TOPICS

The research group focuses on several research areas, summarized below.

Ocular surface pathophysiology

Research on ocular surface pathophysiology, with particular emphasis on Dry Eye Disease (DED) and its association with systemic disorders, including Graft-versus-Host Disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, autoimmune diseases (particularly Sjögren’s syndrome), and oncological therapies, including Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) and Antibody–Drug Conjugates (ADCs).

Research activities include:

• In vitro models of Dry Eye Disease using primary and immortalized human corneal and conjunctival cell lines.
• In vivo models of hyper-evaporative dry eye and experimental therapeutic approaches.
• Clinical studies conducted in collaboration with Hematology and Rheumatology programs at the IRCCS Sant’Orsola University Hospital.
• Human ocular microbiota and the influence of environmental pollution.
• Imaging of corneal and ocular surface clinical parameters.

Corneal diseases and lamellar corneal transplantation

Research on corneal disorders and lamellar corneal transplantation, with particular attention to preoperative inflammation and mechanisms involved in graft failure.

Research activities include:

• Evaluation of immunological and inflammatory biomarkers of the ocular surface (including HLA-DR expression, lymphocyte subsets, and tear inflammatory mediators, particularly cytokines) for pre- and post-transplant risk stratification.
• Investigation of corneal infections, microbiological risk factors, and innovative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
• Clinical studies in collaboration with the IRCCS Sant’Orsola University Hospital in the field of corneal surgery and ocular surface diseases.
• Advanced imaging and diagnostic technologies for corneal and ocular surface morpho-functional assessment.

Laboratory medicine and micro-volume biological fluid diagnostics

Research on laboratory medicine approaches applied to biological fluids obtainable in micro-volumes, with particular focus on tear fluid, aqueous humor, vitreous humor, and microfluidic Lab-on-a-Chip and sensor-based technologies.

The group focuses on the identification of biomarkers for early diagnosis and therapeutic outcome prediction in corneal and ocular surface diseases, primarily through tear fluid analysis.

Members of the research team are part of the Tear Research Network, an international initiative dedicated to the standardization of tear sampling and analytical procedures in clinical settings.

The laboratory also hosts the IRCCS TEAR FLUID BIOBANK, developed in collaboration with IRCCS Sant’Orsola University Hospital.

Medical devices, biological therapies and biomaterials

Research on medical devices, including tear substitutes and drug-delivery systems, as well as blood-derived products for non-transfusion use (EUNT) for the treatment of ocular surface disorders.

Research activities include:

• Characterization of fresh and lyophilized cord blood-derived EUNT preparations for the treatment of severe keratopathies and corneal pain.
• Investigation of neurotrophic factor pools derived from cord blood EUNT in retinal glia-mediated neuroprotective mechanisms.
• Development of biomaterials for controlled release of growth factors aimed at improving post-transplant wound healing.

Artificial Intelligence in Ophthalmology

Development of Artificial Intelligence-based tools for quantitative and automated analysis of ophthalmic imaging and diagnostic parameters, including retinal imaging , corneal densitometry , pupillometry , and conjunctival hyperemia assessment

Collaborators

Antonio Moramarco - Professore associato - Dipartimento di Scienze Mediche e Chirurgiche – DIMEC - Via Massarenti 9 - Bologna

Chiara Coslovi

Area dei Collaboratori - Settore socio-sanitario

COLLABORAZIONI

Ricercatrici IRCCS AOU BO - Gloria Astolfi – Daniela Pollutri - componenti del Team

Dr.ssa Francesca Bonifazi, Dr.ssa Sadia Falcioni – UOC Trapianto e Terapie cellulari in Ematologia – IRCCS AOU BO

Prof.ssa Tiziana Lazzarotto. Dr.ssa Antonella Marangoni, Dr. Claudio Foschi, - UOC di Microbiologia - DIMEC

Dr.ssa Marina Buzzi - Banca regionale del sangue cordonale, dei tessuti cardiovascolari, dei gameti e biobanca donatori di organi e tessuti – IRCCS AOU BO

Prof. Luca Lorenzini , Prof Giuseppe Sarli – DIMEVET

Prof.ssa Nadia Lotti, Prof.ssa Michelina Soccio - DICAM

Prof. Gianandrea Pasquinelli, Prof.ssa Sabrina Valente, Prof.ssa Annalisa Astolfi, Drssa Carmen Ciavarella - Nefro-Vaso Path.- DIMEC

Prof. Gastone Castellani – Centro Interdisciplinare Alma Human Artificial Intelligence - AI for Health and Well-being

Dr Nico Curti - DIFA