This invention relates to a method of fabricating collagen-based hydrogels loaded with ZnO QDs/pDNA complexes as corneal substitutes. Polycation-modified ZnO Quantum Dots were encapsulated into IPN hydrogels by the adsorption effect of freeze-dried hydrogels. The weight ratio of substitutes and ZnO QDs complex is approximately 425:1. And the weight ratio of ZnO QDs/pDNA is 25:1. This kind of corneal substitutes possess favorable biocompatibility. It is able to induce and promote the regeneration of the cornea and it will degrade along with the regeneration of the cornea. The incorporation of the MPDSAH can enhance the stability of corneal substitutes under the existence of collagenase. ZnO QDs used in this invention can condense DNA effectively and ferry DNA into cells successfully. In the process of transfection, the location and distribution of DNA/vector can be tracked by fluorescence in real time. Whats more, the convenience of preparation, long term storage and transportation offers a general method to fabricate a promising corneal substitute.
