In November of 2023, the Ocular Cell Biology attended a thoroughly enjoyable and immensely productive, inaugural face-to-face meeting with the entire BIENCO (Bio-Engineered Cornea) consortium in Sydney. Colleagues from University of Melbourne, Centre for Eye Research Australia, University of Wollongong, University of Sydney and New South Wales Health – Organ and Tissue Donation Service were also in attendance.
For many, it was the first time we had met since the project began in 2021. With the advent of COVID and the necessary travel restrictions, our meetings have been held digitally with very few in-person opportunities. As we gear up for the second phase of the project, it was an energising day of deep discussions and planning appropriate procedures for our work going forwards. There was celebration of the success we have achieved already, as well as acknowledgement of the work still to be done.
We look forward to continued collaboration with our esteemed colleagues and are humbled to be part of the incredible opportunity to improve corneal transplantation accessibility and vision outcomes for millions of patients, globally.
