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Dr. Mark Ahearne
Assistant Professor, Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng

Biography

Mark received a BEng. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Limerick in 2001, a MSc. in Cell and Tissue Engineering from Keele University (United Kingdom) in 2003 and a PhD in Biomedical Engineering from Keele University in 2007. His PhD research focused on the development of a novel spherical indentation system to characterise the mechanical behaviour of cell seeded hydrogels. He subsequently worked as a post-doctoral research associate for three years at Keele University where he developed an in vitro corneal wound healing model for pharmaceutical screening, in addition to working on other projects. Mark joined the Trinity Centre for Bioengineering (TCBE) as a post-doctoral research fellow in October 2010 to primarily work on developing a growth factor delivery scaffold for articular cartilage repair. In 2012 he commenced work as a research fellow and principle investigator in TCBE in the field of corneal tissue engineering and cornea repair after obtaining an Starting Investigator Research Grant from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) and the Marie-Curie COFUND. In 2015 he was award an ERC starting grant to conduct research on developing artificial cornea. In 2016 he was appointed to the position of assistant professor in biomedical engineering.

Publications and Further Research Outputs

Peer-Reviewed Publications

Bhattacharjee, P. and Madden, P.W. and Patriarca, E. and Ahearne, M., Optimization and evaluation of oxygen-plasma-modified, aligned, poly (Ð"-caprolactone) and silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffold for corneal stromal regeneration, Biomaterials and Biosystems, 12, (100083), 2023 Journal Article, 2023 DOI

Bhattacharjee, P. and Ahearne, M., Silk fibroin based interpenetrating network hydrogel for corneal stromal regeneration, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 223, 2022, p583-594 Journal Article, 2022 DOI TARA - Full Text

Treacy MP, Conway MP, Al Hammoud M, Duignan ES, Ahearne M, Ezra E., Direct exchange of Perfluoro-carbon liquid for silicone oil - a surgical technique to control pressure and avoid retinal slippage. , Retina (Philadelphia, Pa.), 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Mechanical Testing of Hydrogels in, editor(s)Hua Li; Vadim V. Silberschmidt , The Mechanics of Hydrogels: Mechanical Properties, Testing, and Applications, Woodhead Publishing, 2022, pp73 - 90, [Mark Ahearne] Book Chapter, 2022

Bhattacharjee, P. and Ahearne, M., Influence of spiral topographies on human limbal-derived immortalized corneal epithelial cells, Experimental Eye Research, 225, (109252), 2022 Journal Article, 2022 DOI

Khosravimelal, S. and Mobaraki, M. and Eftekhari, S. and Ahearne, M. and Seifalian, A.M. and Gholipourmalekabadi, M., Hydrogels as Emerging Materials for Cornea Wound Healing, Small, 17, (30), 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Fernández-Pérez, J. and Madden, P.W. and Ahearne, M., Multilayered fabrication assembly technique to engineer a corneal stromal equivalent, Bio-protocol, 11, (6), 2021 Journal Article, 2021 DOI

Fernández-Pérez J, Madden PW, Brady RT, Nowlan PF, Ahearne M., The effect of prior long-term recellularization with keratocytes of decellularized porcine corneas implanted in a rabbit anterior lamellar keratoplasty model., PloS one, 16, (6), 2021, pe0245406 Journal Article, 2021 DOI TARA - Full Text

Bhattacharjee P, Ahearne M., Significance of Crosslinking Approaches in the Development of Next Generation Hydrogels for Corneal Tissue Engineering., Pharmaceutics, 13, (3), 2021, p913- Journal Article, 2021 DOI TARA - Full Text

Ahearne M., Fernandez-Perez J., Masterton S., Madden P.W., Bhattacharjee P., Designing Scaffolds for Corneal Regeneration, Advanced Functional Materials, 2020 Journal Article, 2020 TARA - Full Text DOI

Fernández-Pérez J, Madden PW, Ahearne M., Engineering a Corneal Stromal Equivalent Using a Novel Multilayered Fabrication Assembly Technique., Tissue engineering. Part A, 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Bhattacharjee P., Cavanagh B.L., Ahearne M., Influence of micropatterned substrates on keratocyte phenotype, Scientific Reports, 10, (1), 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Fabrication of corneal extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels in, 2020, pp159-168 , [Ahearne, M. and Fernandez-Perez, J.] Book Chapter, 2020 DOI

Kabak, E.C. and Fernandez-Perez, J. and Ahearne, M., Development and validation of a 3D in vitro model to study the chemotactic behavior of corneal stromal fibroblasts, Methods in Molecular Biology, 2145, 2020, p185-196 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Ahearne, M., Corneal Regeneration Methods and Protocols, Humana Press, 2020 Book, 2020

Bhattacharjee, P. and Ahearne, M., Fabrication and biocompatibility of electroconductive silk fibroin/pedot: Pss composites for corneal epithelial regeneration, Polymers, 12, (12), 2020, p1-7 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Madden, P.W. and Klyubin, I. and Ahearne, M.J., Silk fibroin safety in the eye: A review that highlights a concern, BMJ Open Ophthalmology, 5, (1), 2020 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Bhattacharjee P, Cavanagh BL, Ahearne M., Effect of substrate topography on the regulation of human corneal stromal cells., Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces, 190, 2020, p110971 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., Decellularization and recellularization of cornea: Progress towards a donor alternative., Methods, 171, 2020, p86 - 96 Journal Article, 2020 DOI TARA - Full Text

Fernandez-Perez J., Kador K.E., Lynch A.P., Ahearne M., Characterization of extracellular matrix modified poly("-caprolactone) electrospun scaffolds with differing fiber orientations for corneal stroma regeneration, Materials Science and Engineering C, 108, 2020 Journal Article, 2020 TARA - Full Text DOI

Ahearne, M., Corneal extracellular matrix decellularization, Methods in Cell Biology, 157, 2020, p81-95 Journal Article, 2020 DOI

Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., The impact of decellularization methods on extracellular matrix derived hydrogels., Scientific reports, 9, (1), 2019, p14933 Journal Article, 2019 TARA - Full Text DOI

Fernández-Pérez, J. and Ahearne, M., Author Correction: The impact of decellularization methods on extracellular matrix derived hydrogels (Scientific Reports, (2019), 9, 1, (14933), 10.1038/s41598-019-49575-2), Scientific Reports, 9, (1), 2019 Journal Article, 2019 DOI

Bhattacharjee P, Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., Potential for combined delivery of riboflavin and all-trans retinoic acid, from silk fibroin for corneal bioengineering., Materials science & engineering. C, Materials for biological applications, 105, 2019, p110093 Journal Article, 2019 TARA - Full Text DOI

Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., Influence of Biochemical Cues in Human Corneal Stromal Cell Phenotype., Current eye research, 44, 2019, p135-146 Journal Article, 2019 DOI TARA - Full Text

Masterton S, Ahearne M., The Effect of Calcium and Glucose Concentration on Corneal Epithelial Cell Lines Differentiation, Proliferation, and Focal Adhesion Expression., BioResearch open access, 8, (1), 2019, p74-83 Journal Article, 2019 DOI TARA - Full Text

Masterton S, Ahearne M, Influence of polydimethylsiloxane substrate stiffness on corneal epithelial cells, Royal Society Open Science, 6, (12), 2019, p191796- Journal Article, 2019 TARA - Full Text

Masterton S, Ahearne M., Mechanobiology of the corneal epithelium., Experimental eye research, 177, 2018, p122-129 Journal Article, 2018 DOI TARA - Full Text

Masterton S, Ahearne M, Examining the effect of mechanical conditions on corneal epithelial cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Fernandez-Perez J, Ahearne M, Repopulating decellularized porcine corneas with human corneal fibroblasts, Euro Cells Mater J , TERMIS-EU Annual meeting 2017, Davos, Switzerland, 33, (S2), 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Masterton S, Ahearne M, Influence of materials stiffness on corneal epithelial cell behaviour, Euro Cells Mater J, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting 2017, Davos, Switzerland, 33, (S2), 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Kador KE, Ahearne M, Influence of electrospun scaffolds geometry on corneal stromal cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Kelly CP, Kador KE, Ahearne M, Response of corneal stromal cell behaviour to variations in substrate stiffness, Euro Cells Mater J, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting 2017, Davos, Switzerland, 33, (S2), 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Fernandez-Perez J, Ahearne M, Corneal tissue engineering: Effect of biochemical cues on corneal stromal cell phenotype and scaffold repopulation, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Vasu A, Kelly C, Kador K, Ahearne M, Combined influence of substrate stiffness and topography on the proliferation and differentiation of human adipose derived stem cells towards adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes in vitro, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Lynch AP, Ahearne M., Retinoic Acid Enhances the Differentiation of Adipose-Derived Stem Cells to Keratocytes In Vitro., Translational vision science & technology, 6, (1), 2017, p6 Journal Article, 2017 TARA - Full Text DOI

Kelly CP, Kador KE, Ahearne M, Material stiffness a key regulator of corneal stromal cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017 Meeting Abstract, 2017

Prabhakar A, Lynch AP, Ahearne M, Self-Assembled Infrapatellar Fat-Pad Progenitor Cells on a Poly-"-Caprolactone Film For Cartilage Regeneration., Artificial organs, 40, (4), 2016, p376-84 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Kador K, Ahearne M, Development of novel electrospun scaffolds for corneal tissue engineering, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 2016, 94, (S256), 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Lynch AP, O'Sullivan F, Ahearne M, The effect of growth factor supplementation on corneal stromal cell phenotype in vitro using a serum-free media., Experimental eye research, 151, 2016, p26-37 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Kelly C, Kador KE, Ahearne M, Influence of material properties on corneal cell behaviour, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Fernandez-Perez J, Ahearne M, Effect of biochemical cues on proliferation, phenotype and migration of human corneal stromal cells, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 94, (S256), 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Kador KE, Ahearne M, Development of novel electrospun scaffolds for corneal tissue engineering, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Kelly C, Ahearne M, Influence of material compliance on human corneal stromal cell behaviour, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 94, (S256), 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Ahearne M, Coyle A, Application of UVA-riboflavin crosslinking to enhance the mechanical properties of extracellular matrix derived hydrogels., Journal of the mechanical behavior of biomedical materials, 54, 2016, p259-67 Journal Article, 2016 DOI

Fernandez-Perez J, Ahearne M, Influence of biochemical factors on corneal cell behaviour and scaffold design, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016 Meeting Abstract, 2016

Lynch AP, Wilson SL, Ahearne M, Dextran Preserves Native Corneal Structure During Decellularization., Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods, 22, (6), 2016, p561-72 Journal Article, 2016 DOI TARA - Full Text

Ahearne M, Lynch AP, Early Observation of Extracellular Matrix-Derived Hydrogels for Corneal Stroma Regeneration., Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods, 21, (10), 2015, p1059-69 Journal Article, 2015 DOI

Lynch AP, Wilson, SL, Ahearne M, Ultrastructural maintenance of decellularization corneas using dextran, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 93, (S255), 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Wilson SL, Ahearne M, Hopkinson A, An overview of current techniques for ocular toxicity testing., Toxicology., 327, 2015, p32 - 46 Journal Article, 2015 TARA - Full Text DOI

Wilson, S.L. and Ahearne, M. and Hopkinson, A., An overview of current techniques for ocular toxicity testing, Toxicology, 327, 2015, p32-46 Journal Article, 2015 DOI

Ahearne M, Fabrication of a hydrogel from extracellular matrix for corneal bioengineering, 21st Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Kildare, 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Wilson SL, Lynch A, Ahearne M, Investigating the use of dextran in corneal decellularization, Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting, Nottingham, UK, 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Lynch AP, Wilson, SL, Ahearne M, Characterizing the role of dextran in the decellularization of porcine corneas, 4th TERMIS World Congress, Boston, USA, 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Lynch AP, Wilson, SL, Ahearne M, Dextran: An ally for corneal decellularization, 2nd Annual Matrix Biology Ireland Meeting, University College Dublin, 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Lynch A, Ahearne M, Differentiation of adipose derived stem cells to keratocytes in vitro with retinoic acid, 21st Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Kildare, 2015 Meeting Abstract, 2015

Ahearne M, Lysaght J, Lynch AP, Combined influence of basal media and fibroblast growth factor on the expansion and differentiation capabilities of adipose-derived stem cells., Cell regeneration (London, England), 3, (1), 2014, p13 - 13 Journal Article, 2014 TARA - Full Text DOI

Lynch A, Ahearne M, The generation of a novel corneal scaffold using decellularized porcine corneas and human corneal keratocytes, 20th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Limerick, 2014 Meeting Abstract, 2014

The mechanical characterization of hydrogels and its implication on the cellular activities in, editor(s)Connon CJ, Hamley IW , Hydrogels in Cell-Based Therapies , RSC Publishing, 2014, pp171 - 180, [Wilson SL, Ahearne M, El Haj AJ, Yang Y. ] Book Chapter, 2014

Lynch A, Ahearne M, Control of corneal swelling during decellularization using dextran, J Tissue Eng Regen Med, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting, Genoa, Italy, 8, (S1), 2014 Meeting Abstract, 2014

Ahearne M, Development of an ECM hydrogel for corneal tissue engineering, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 92, (S253), 2014 Meeting Abstract, 2014

Wilson, S.L. and Ahearne, M. and El Haj, A.J. and Yang, Y., Mechanical characterization of hydrogels and its implications for cellular activities, RSC Soft Matter, 2014, p171-190 Journal Article, 2014

Ahearne M, Introduction to cell-hydrogel mechanosensing., Interface focus, 4, (2), 2014, p1 - 12 Journal Article, 2014 DOI TARA - Full Text

Lynch A, Ahearne M, Growth factor regulation of keratocyte phenotype in serum free media, J Tissue Eng Regen Med , TERMIS-EU Annual meeting, Genoa, Italy, 8, (S1), 2014 Meeting Abstract, 2014

Ahearne M, Liu Y, Kelly DJ, Combining freshly isolated chondroprogenitor cells from the infrapatellar fat pad with a growth factor delivery hydrogel as a putative single stage therapy for articular cartilage repair, Tissue Engineering Part A, 20, (5-6), 2014, p930 - 939 Journal Article, 2014 TARA - Full Text DOI

Lynch A, O'Suillivan F, Ahearne M, Influence of growth factors on keratocyte phenotype in serum free media, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 91, (S252), 2013 Meeting Abstract, 2013

Ahearne M, Kelly DJ, A comparison of fibrin, agarose and gellan gum hydrogels as carriers of stem cells and growth factor delivery microspheres for cartilage regeneration., Biomedical materials (Bristol, England), 8, (3), 2013, p035004 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Lynch A, Ahearne M, Development of a decellularized scaffold for corneal tissue engineering, 19th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Kildare, 2013 Meeting Abstract, 2013

Lynch AP, Ahearne M, Strategies for developing decellularized corneal scaffolds, Experimental Eye Research, 108, 2013, p42-47 Journal Article, 2013 DOI

Ahearne M, Yurong L, Kelly DJ, A single stage therapy for articular cartilage repair using selected freshly isolated infrapatellar fat pad derived cells in a growth factor delivery hydrogel, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, San Antonio, USA, 2013 Meeting Abstract, 2013

Ahearne M, Lynch A, Extracellular matrix derived hydrogel for corneal tissue engineering, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 91, (S252), 2013 Meeting Abstract, 2013

Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Yang Y, Dictation of cell orientation throughout three dimensional hydrogels, J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 3rd TERMIS World Congress, Vienna, Austria, 6, (S1), 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Almeida H, Buckley C, Cunniffe G, Ahearne M, Kelly DJ, Combining freshly isolated CD271+ positive infrapatellar fat pad stem cells and a TGF-ß3 releasing scaffold to develop a single stage therapy for cartilage repair, 18th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Almeida HV, Buckley CT, Cunniffe GM, Ahearne M, O'Brien FJ, Kelly DJ, Combining freshly isolated CD271+ positive infrapatellar fat pad stem cells and a TGF-ß3 releasing scaffold to develop a single stage therapy for cartilage repair, J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 3rd TERMIS World Congress, Vienna, Austria, 6, (S1), 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Ahearne M, Kelly DJ, The chondrogenic potential of growth factor delivery microspheres is dependent on the hydrogel in which they are encapsulated, 18th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Buckley CT, Ahearne M, Downey R, Mulhall KJ, Kelly DJ, Engineering cartilage grafts using fibrin hydrogels seeded with diseased human infrapatellar fat pad derived stem cells, Orthopaedic Research Society Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA, 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Vinardell T, Rolfe RA, Buckley CT, Meyer EG, Ahearne M, Murphy P, Kelly DJ, Hydrostatic pressure acts to stabilise a chondrogenic phenotype in porcine joint tissue derived stem cells., European Cells & Materials, 23, 2012, p121-134 Journal Article, 2012 DOI TARA - Full Text URL

Wilson SL, Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Rauz S, El Haj AJ, Yang Y, Chemical and topographical effects on cell differentiation and matrix elasticity in a corneal stromal layer model. , Advanced Functional Materials, 22, (17), 2012, p3641 - 3649 Journal Article, 2012 DOI

Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Yang Y, Dictation of cell orientation throughout three dimensional hydrogels, 9th World Biomaterials Congress , Chengdu, China, 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Ahearne M, Kelly DJ, Development and optimization of a growth factor delivery hydrogel for cartilage regeneration, J Tissue Eng Regen Med, 3rd TERMIS World Congress, Vienna, Austria, 6, (S1), 2012 Meeting Abstract, 2012

Then KY, Yang Y, Ahearne M, El Haj AJ, Effect of microtopographical cues on human keratocyte orientation and gene expression., Current eye research, 36, (2), 2011, p88-93 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Wilson SL, Ahearne M, Rauz S, El Haj AJ, Yang Y, Controlling corneal stromal cell phenotype via chemical cues, Euro Cells Mater J, TCES Conference, Leeds, UK, 2011 Meeting Abstract, 2011

Yang Y, Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Portable nanofiber meshes dictate cell orientation throughout three-dimensional hydrogels., Nanomedicine : Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, 7, (2), 2011, p131-6 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Ahearne M, Buckley CT, Kelly DJ, TGF-ß1 loaded gelatin microspheres in fibrin constructs for chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs, 17th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2011 Meeting Abstract, 2011

Yang Y, Rupani A, Weightman A, Wimpenny I, Bagnaninchi P, Ahearne M. , The study of optical properties and proteoglycan content of tendons by PS-OCT, Dynamics and Fluctuations in Biomedical Photonics VIII , 2011, pp7898-7 Conference Paper, 2011

Ahearne M, El Haj A, Rauz S, Yang Y, Online monitoring the mechanical remodeling of hydrogels by corneal fibroblasts., IFMBE Proceedings , 30, 2011, pp1-4 Conference Paper, 2011

Ahearne M, Buckley CT, Kelly DJ, Engineering a MSC seeded fibrin hydrogel containing TGF-beta 1 loaded gelatin microspheres for cartilage repair, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting, Granada, Spain, 2011 Meeting Abstract, 2011

Ahearne M, Buckley CT, Kelly DJ, A growth factor delivery system for chondrogenic induction of infrapatellar fat pad-derived stem cells in fibrin hydrogels., Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry, 58, (5), 2011, p345-352 Journal Article, 2011 DOI

Ahearne M, Liu KK, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Rauz S, Yang Y, Online monitoring of the mechanical behavior of collagen hydrogels: influence of corneal fibroblasts on elastic modulus., Tissue Engineering. Part C, Methods, 16, (2), 2010, p319-27 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Li C, Ahearne M, Liu KK, Micromechanical characterizations of hydrogel based contact lens, International Journal of Modern Physics B, 24, (1), 2010, p117 - 127 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Ahearne M, Wilson SL, Liu KK, Rauz S, El Haj AJ, Yang Y, Influence of cell and collagen concentration on the cell-matrix mechanical relationship in a corneal stroma wound healing model., Experimental Eye Research, 91, (5), 2010, p584-91 Journal Article, 2010 DOI

Yang Y, Ahearne M, Wimpenny I, Guijarro-Leach J, Torbet J, Investigation of a tissue engineered tendon model by PSOCT, Optics in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine IV , 2010, pp7566- Conference Paper, 2010

Ahearne M, El Haj AJ, Rauz S, Yang Y, Control of corneal fibroblast orientation and behaviour by nanofibers, Euro Cells Mater J, TCES Conference, Manchester, UK, 2010 Meeting Abstract, 2010

Ahearne M, Wilson SL, Liu KK, El Haj AJ, Rauz S, Yang Y , Influence of cell number and collagen concentration on the mechanical behaviour of collagen hydrogel constructs, TCES Conference, Glasgow, UK, 2009 Meeting Abstract, 2009

Yang Y, Ahearne M, Wimpenny I, Torbet J, Monitoring the effect of magnetically aligned collagen scaffolds on tendon tissue engineering by PSOCT, Optics in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine III , 2009, pp7179- Conference Paper, 2009

Ahearne M, Siamantouras E, Yang Y, Liu KK, Mechanical characterization of biomimetic membranes by micro-shaft poking., Journal of the Royal Society Interface , 6, (34), 2009, p471-8 Journal Article, 2009 DOI

Ahearne M, Wilson SL, Liu KK, El Haj A, Rauz S, Yang Y, Online monitoring of the mechano feedback loop between fibroblasts and their surroundings, 2nd TERMIS World Congress, Seoul, South Korea, 2009 Meeting Abstract, 2009

Ahearne M, Liu KK, El Haj AJ, Rauz S, Yang Y, In vitro corneal stroma model for pharmaceutical screening and influence of corneal fibroblasts on elastic modulus, 9th Corneal Conference, Cardiff, UK, 2009 Meeting Abstract, 2009

Ahearne M, Wilson SL, Liu KK, AJ El Haj, S Rauz, Yang Y, Influence of cell number and collagen concentration on the mechanical behaviour of collagen hydrogels, Bioengineering 09, Oxford, UK, 2009 Meeting Abstract, 2009

Yang Y, Ahearne M, Bagnaninchi PO, El Haj AJ, Visualization of structural evolution in tissue engineering tendon, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting, Porto, Portugal, 2008 Meeting Abstract, 2008

Ahearne M, Liu KK, El Haj A, Yang Y, Influence of corneal fibroblasts on the mechanical behavior of collagen hydrogels, TERMIS-NA Annual meeting, San Diego, USA, 2008 Meeting Abstract, 2008

Ahearne M, Bagnaninchi PO, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Online monitoring of collagen fibre alignment in tissue-engineered tendon by PSOCT., Journal of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, 2, (8), 2008, p521-4 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Yang Y, Ahearne M, Bagnaninchi PO, Hu B, Hampson K, El Haj AJ, Application of polarization OCT in tissue engineering., Optics in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine II., 2008, pp6858- Conference Paper, 2008

Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, Dual-camera spherical indentation system for examining the mechanical characteristics of hydrogels, IFMBE Proceedings , 22, 2008, pp2011-2014 Conference Paper, 2008

Ahearne M, Ladva E, Liu KK, El Haj A, Yang Y, Non-destructive monitoring of collagen degradation in tissue engineered corneal constructs, TCES Conference, Nottingham, UK, 2008 Meeting Abstract, 2008

Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, Online monitoring of MMP's released by corneal fibroblasts in collagen hydrogels, 8th World Biomaterials Congress, Amsterdam, Netherlands, 2008 Meeting Abstract, 2008

Mechanical characterisation of hydrogels for tissue engineering applications in, editor(s)Ashammakhi N, Reis R, Chiellini, F , Topics in Tissue Engineering Volume 4, 2008, pp16 , [Ahearne M, Yang Y, Liu KK] Book Chapter, 2008

Ahearne M, Yang Y, Then KY, Liu KK, Non-destructive mechanical characterisation of UVA/riboflavin crosslinked collagen hydrogels., The British journal of ophthalmology, 92, (2), 2008, p268-71 Journal Article, 2008 DOI

Yang Y, Bagnaninchi PO, Ahearne M, Wang RK, Liu KK, A novel optical coherence tomography-based micro-indentation technique for mechanical characterization of hydrogels., Journal of the Royal Society Interface , 4, (17), 2007, p1169-73 Journal Article, 2007 DOI

Ahearne M, Yang Y, Then KY, Liu KK, An indentation technique to characterize the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of human and porcine corneas., Annals of biomedical engineering, 35, (9), 2007, p1608-16 Journal Article, 2007 DOI

Yang Y, Bagnaninchi PO, Ahearne M, Wang RK, Liu KK, A novel OCT-based micro-indentation technique for mechanical characterization of soft tissues, Optics in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine I, 2007, pp6439- Conference Paper, 2007

Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Mechanical characterization of tissue engineered corneal stroma, World Congress of Biomechanics, Munich, Germany, 2006 Meeting Abstract, 2006

Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Mechanical characterisation of UVA-riboflavin crosslinked collagen hydrogels, TCES Conference, Sheffield, UK, 2006 Meeting Abstract, 2006

Ahearne M, Yang Y, Then KY, El Haj AJ, Liu KK, A new technique for mechanical characterization in corneal tissue engineering, World Cornea Congress, Washington DC, USA, 2005 Meeting Abstract, 2005

Then KY, Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, Siamantouras E, McDonnell PJ, Shah S, Rauz, S, El Haj A, A new technique for mechanically characterising hydrogels for tissue engineering cornea, Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci, ARVO Annual meeting, Fort Lauderdale, USA, 46S, 2005 Meeting Abstract, 2005

Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Characterizing the viscoelastic properties of thin hydrogel-based constructs for tissue engineering applications., Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 2, (5), 2005, p455-63 Journal Article, 2005 DOI

Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, A novel indentation technique for the mechanical characterization of human cornea, IFMBE Proceedings EMBEC, 11, (1), 2005, pp1885- Conference Paper, 2005

Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Mechanical characterisation and stimulation of corneal stroma equivalents, TCES Conference, London, 2005 Meeting Abstract, 2005

Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, E Siamantouras, Then KY, El Haj AJ, A new technique for mechanically characterising hydrogels for tissue engineering cornea, Engineering in Regenerative Medicine Meeting, Liverpool, UK, 2004 Meeting Abstract, 2004

Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, Then KY, El Haj AJ, Development of a new technique for mechanically characterising and stimulating tissue-engineered cornea, TCES Conference, Keele, UK, 2004 Meeting Abstract, 2004

Ahearne M, Yang Y, Magnay J, Cooper J, Gene expression from osteoblasts cultured on poly-e-caprolactone based biodegradable biomaterials, TCES Conference, Keele, UK, 2004 Meeting Abstract, 2004

V. P. Panov, S. S. Seomun, N. M. Shtykov, J. K. Vij and H. T. Nguyen, The biaxiality of the chiral smectic subphases in very thin freestanding films, Ferroelectrics, 278, 2002, p47 - 55 Journal Article, 2002

Woodruff, D.P., Holloway, S., McGovern, I.T. , Preface , 1994, - vii Miscellaneous, 1994

Research Expertise

Description

My primary area of research is in corneal tissue engineering and regeneration. Corneal blindness affect millions of people worldwide and there is a shortage of healthy donor corneas that are suitable for transplantation. This has led to alternative therapies being investigated. Tissue engineering approaches that combine three-dimensional scaffolds and stem cells are currently under investigation by my group. Several parameters that affect the phenotypic behaviour of corneal cells are being investigated in addition to different methods of fabricating biomimetic scaffolds with the ultimate goal of developing functional corneal tissue alternative that is suitable for transplantation.

Keywords

Biomaterials; CARTILAGE; EYE; HYDROGELS; NANOFIBERS; Ophthalmology; Stem cells; Tissue Engineering

Recognition

Representations

Management committee member and elected vice-chair of "scaffold development" working group in COST action BM1302 2013

Journal reviewer for 27 different academic journals including Acta Biomaterialia, Artificial Organs, Biofabrication, Biomedical Materials, Cellular and Molecular Biology Letters, Computer Methods in Applied Mechanics and Engineering, Cytotherapy, European Cells and Materials, Gels, International Journal of Ophthalmology, Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Journal of Biomaterial Applications, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research: Part B, Journal of Engineering in Medicine, Journal of Material Sciences: Materials in Medicine, Journal of Neuroscience Methods, Journal of Strain Analysis, Journal of the Mechanical Properties of Biomedical Materials, Journal of the Royal Society Interface, Materials and Design, Micron, Molecular Vision, Plos One, Review of Scientific Instruments, Stem Cells Translational Medicine, Tissue Engineering A and C.

Symposium organiser and session chair at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society European Chapter (TERMIS-EU) meeting (Davos, Switzerland) 2017

Invited session chair for the Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conferences from 2012 to 2017

Session organizer and chair for International Society of Eye Research biannual meeting 2018

Session chair at European Vision and Eye Research meeting (Nice, France) 2013

Awards and Honours

1st placed poster award, 20th Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting, University of Nottingham - Co-author 2015

DePuy Young Researcher Award - Student Supervisor 2013

Travel award for best paper in the category of Corneal and Ocular Surface at the European Vision and Eye Research Conference - Student Supervisor 2013

1st placed poster award, 4th Annual Limbal Stem Cell Meeting, Nottingham, UK - Co-author 2012

Royal Academy of Engineers Travel Award Recipient 2009

Royal Society Conference Travel Award Recipient 2008

1st place at Expertissues Bioreactor Design and Stem Cell Processing Workshop, UK 2006

3rd placed poster award, TCES annual conference, Sheffield, UK - First Author 2006

Royal Academy of Engineers Travel Award Recipient 2005

Memberships

Engineers Ireland 2015

COST action - BM1302 (Management committee member and working group vice-chair) 2013

Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) 2010

European Vision and Eye Research (EVER) 2013

Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) 2016

International Society for Eye Research (ISER) 2017

COST action - CA18116 (Management committee member)

Fight for Sight Scientific Grants Assessment Panel 2023