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Storm's Eye

Modelling the migration of cells that regenerate the eye's constantly abraded cornea

15 July 2025

Storm's Eye

Looking like maps of tropical seas, these cracked mice eyes reveal lively swirls of cells rather than storms. Researchers place cuts in each dome-like cornea then crush them flat under a microscope slide. They want to investigate how epithelial cells on the surface of mammalian corneas are constantly replaced and replenished. Limbal stem cells found around the edge of the cornea move over its surface, the curve creating a 'flow' towards a 'vortex' in the centre, like a cyclone (although 300 million times smaller). Some of these stem cells have a protein that can be stained blue – as they divide and stream inwards, they leave stripy spiral patterns in each eye. With many factors affecting the cells’ movements, the team developed a predictive mathematical model, able to simulate these natural stripes and make further predictions for swirling cells in mice and humans alike – a little like forecasting the weather.

Image created using Leica Microsystems microscopy

Written by John Ankers

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