Co-localization of a protein involved in actin dynamics with F-actin during epithelial to mesenchymal (EMT) transition of mouse lens epithelial explant. Image taken by Sheardown Lab.

Contact Lenses

Drug Delivery

Polymer Chemistry

Animal Models

Collaborations

IMPROVING PATIENT COMFORT

WITH NEXT GENERATION

CONTACT LENSES

We are working on the next-generation of contact lenses capable of delivering drug effectively to the front of the eye to treat anterior ocular conditions. We are also improving upon the formulation of contact lenses to improve patient comfort. Working with industry partners, we are helping formulations reach market fast.

Person with brown eyes putting a contact into their eye.

Liu L, Rambarran T, Sheardown H. Phenylboronic Acid Modified Hydrogel Materials and their Potential for Use in Contact Lens Based Drug Delivery. J Biomater Sci, Polym Ed June20 1-15 (2022). DOI: 10.1080/09205063.2022.2088531

Korogiannaki M, Samson M, Matheson A, Soliman K, Schmidt TA, Sheardown H. Investigating the synergistic interactions of surface immobilized and free natural ocular lubricants for contact lens applications: A comparative study between hyaluronic acid and proteoglycan 4 (Lubricin). Langmuir. 37: 1062-1072 (2021). DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.0c02796

Spadafora A, Korogiannaki M, Sheardown H. Anti-fouling silicone hydrogel contact lenses via densely grafted phosphorylcholine polymers. Biointerphases. 15;041013 (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32867505/ Selected for promotion as Editor’s Pick.

Contact Lenses

This image represents Drug Delivery via a person using eye drops.

DELIVERING VISION SAVING THERAPEUTICS TO HARD TO REACH OCULAR TISSUE

Utilizing our expertise in drug delivery, we are developing novel methods for sustained drug delivery to ocular tissues through our patented technologies and biomedical modelling strategies.

Ross M, Hicks EA, Rambarran T, Sheardown H. Thermo-sensitivity and erosion of chitosan crosslinked poly[N-isopropylacrylamide-co-(acrylic acid)-co-(methyl methacrylate)] hydrogels for application to the inferior fornix. Acta Biomaterialia. 141:151-163 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2022.01.043

Lasowski F, Rambarran T, Rahmani V, Brook MA, Sheardown H. PEG-Containing Siloxane Materials by Metal-Free Click-Chemistry for Ocular Drug Delivery Applications. J Biomater Sci, Polym Ed. 32(5):581-594. (2021). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33187457/

Mangiacotte N, Prosperi-Porta G, Liu L, Dodd M, Sheardown H. Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles for Drug Delivery to the Anterior Eye. Nanomaterials 10;1400:1-16 (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32708500/

Drug Delivery

DESIGNING NOVEL POLYMER BIOMATERIALS FOR OCULAR APPLICATION

As Chemical Engineers, polymer chemistry is in our blood. Our vast knowledge allows us to design and synthesize original formulations that can prolong ocular residence time, increase tissue permeation, and deliver that vital cargo to where it needs to go.

This is a black and white image representing Polymer Material.

Liu L, Rambarran T, Muirhead B, Lasowski F, Sheardown H. A radiolabeling method for precise quantification of polymers. Bioconj Chem. 33:634-42 (2022).

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.bioconjchem.2c00047

Rambarran T, Sheardown H. Block Copolymer Synthesis using Free-Radical Polymerization and Thiol-Maleimide ‘Click’ Conjugation. RCS Advances 11;34631-34635 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1039/D1RA06089A

Xu F, Gough I, Dorogin J, Sheardown H, Hoare TR. Nanostructured degradable macroporous hydrogel scaffolds with controllable internal morphologies via reactive electrospinning. Acta Biomater. 104:135-146 (2020). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31904560/

Polymer Chemistry

This image is of retina cells showing the retinal layers.

CREATING ANIMAL MODELS TO BETTER OUR UNDERSTANDING OF OCULAR PATHOLOGIES

Our expertise in animal modeling allows us to study a breadth of ocular disease states as well as test our novel ocular biomaterials in-vivo.

Capabilities:

Imaging Techniques
- Posterior Fundus
- Posterior Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Posterior Fluorescein Angiography
- Anterior Slit Lamp
- Anterior OCT

Metrics
- Tear Osmolarity
- Tear Volume
- Ocular Surface Staining
- Histology

Animal Models

ACADEMIC COLLABORATIONS

Sheardown Lab is actively collaborating with many academic partners, including other researchers at McMaster University and the University of Waterloo. For further information on opportunities for collaboration and fees for service work, please refer to the C20/20 Innovation Hub.

Academic Collaborations

INDUSTRY COLLABORATIONS

Invested in commercialization, we collaborate with industry partners to help products get to market. Some recent collaborations are shown below.