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Professor Conor Buckley

Professor in (Mechanical, Manuf & Biomedical Eng)
PARSONS BUILDING

 Conor.Buckley@tcd.ie

 3531896 2061


Biography

Conor Buckley is Professor In Biomedical Engineering and Director of the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering. Buckley is a principal investigator (PI) in both the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering and Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) national centre for Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin and Honorary Associate Professor in the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. His research focuses on novel biomaterials, biofabrication and cell-based strategies for tissue regeneration Buckley has published over 90 international peer reviewed journal articles and over 200 conference publications. Buckley is a reviewer for 29 leading journals in the fields of Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering and serves on the International Advisory Review Board (ARB) for the Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine. Buckley is also a PI on several commercial projects developing biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair and bioprinting for next generation implantable devices and tissues for orthopaedic applications. He also has experience in the commercialisation of technology including the filing and licensing of patents in relation to porous biomaterials for nerve (PCT/EP2020/083811) and cartilage tissue regeneration (EP18215447.6). In 2022, he co-founded Altach, (https://altach.health/) a campus spin-out company pioneering off-the-shelf cartilage scaffolds to regenerate damaged knee joints. Prof. Buckley's laboratory has been recognised through notable honours and distinctions including the Irish Research Council (IRC) New Foundations Award, Engineers Ireland Biomedical Research Medal, European Society of Biomechanics S.M. Perren Award. He is a recipient of a Science Foundation Ireland Career Development Award (CDA, 2016), a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator award to develop personalised medicine approaches to regenerate the intervertebral disc (2019) and an ERC Proof of Concept award for injectable biomimetic self-healing tissue adhesives (2024). Current research activities: Personalised medicine and injectable gene activated biomaterials for intervertebral disc repair; Biofabrication of electroconductive ECM nerve guidance conduits; Injectable biomimetic self-healing tissue adhesives; 3D printing of ECM derived orthopaedic models and implants; Predictive in silico metabolite modelling for cell-based therapies.

Research Tags

  Bioengineering   Biomaterials   BIOMECHANICS   Biomedical Engineering   Chemical Engineering   Computational Mechanics   Computer-Aided Engineering   Image Processing   Manufacturing Engineering   Medical Devices Engineering   Tissue Engineering   TISSUE GROWTH-FACTOR   TISSUE TYPE   TISSUE-CULTURE   TISSUE-CULTURE CELLS

Research Projects

 Evaluation of Bioinks from Human-Origin Biomaterials for Enhanced Wound Regeneration (BIOHEAL)
 The Oestrogen-Adipokine Axis and Its Influence on Vertebral Cartilaginous End-Plate Calcification and Porosity Formation in Pre-Menopausal Females
 Development of Biomimetic Vessels for Surgical Training
 Consolidating the Expertise of Necmettin Erbakan University Towards the Development of Biofibers for Wound Healing and Tissue Regeneration (REGENEU)
 CEMACUBE EIT Master's programme in Biomedical Engineering (2021)

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Representations

Details Date
International Advisory Review Board (ARB)- Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine. 2020-Present
External Examiner- MSc Tissue Engineering for Regenerative Medicine programme, University of Manchester 2018-Present
Advisory Board Member- Master's degree programme Biomedical Engineering University of Groningen, Netherlands. 2018-2021
CEMACUBE/KIC-EIT Board Member: University representation on the board of the Common European Masters in Biomedical Engineering (CEMACUBE). Buckley was a co-applicant for CEMACUBE to receive the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) label, which was successfully awarded in 2019. The EIT is a European innovation body inspiring a new generation of entrepreneurs and innovators in Europe. 2013-2022
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) panel expert. QQI is the national agency responsible for the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). 2017

Languages

Language Skill Reading Skill Writing Skill Speaking
English Fluent Fluent Fluent

Memberships

Membership of Professional Institutions, Associations, Societies

Details Date From Date To
Educating Students in Engineering and Medicine (ESEM), Co- Founding member and Treasurer 2015 2020
Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) 2009 Present
European Society of Biomechanics (ESB) 2009 Present
Orthopaedic Research Society (ORS) 2009 Present
Salinas-Fernandez, S. and Garcia, O. and Kelly, D.J. and Buckley, C.T., The influence of pH and salt concentration on the microstructure and mechanical properties of meniscus extracellular matrix-derived implants, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A, 112, (3), 2024, p359-372 , Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Gansau, J. and McDonnell, E.E. and Buckley, C.T., Development and characterization of antacid microcapsules to buffer the acidic intervertebral disc microenvironment, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research - Part A, 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Barcellona, M.N. and Ní­ Néill, T. and O'Brien, F.J. and Dixon, J.E. and Curtin, C.M. and Buckley, C.T., Modulation of Inflammation and Regeneration in the Intervertebral Disc Using Enhanced Cell-Penetrating Peptides for MicroRNA Delivery, Advanced NanoBiomed Research, 2024, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
McDonnell E.E., Ni Neill T., Wilson N., Darwish S.L., Butler J.S., Buckley C.T., In silico modeling the potential clinical effect of growth factor treatment on the metabolism of human nucleus pulposus cells, JOR Spine, 7, (3), 2024, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
McDonnell E.E., Wilson N., Barcellona M.N., Ni Neill T., Bagnall J., Brama P.A.J., Cunniffe G.M., Darwish S.L., Butler J.S., Buckley C.T., Preclinical to clinical translation for intervertebral disc repair: Effects of species-specific scale, metabolism, and matrix synthesis rates on cell-based regeneration, JOR Spine, 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Basatvat S., Bach F.C., Barcellona M.N., Binch A.L., Buckley C.T., Bueno B., Chahine N.O., Chee A., Creemers L.B., Dudli S., Fearing B., Ferguson S.J., Gansau J., Gantenbein B., Gawri R., Glaeser J.D., Grad S., Guerrero J., Haglund L., Hernandez P.A., Hoyland J.A., Huang C., Iatridis J.C., Illien-Junger S., Jing L., Kraus P., Laagland L.T., Lang G., Leung V., Li Z., Lufkin T., van Maanen J.C., McDonnell E.E., Panebianco C.J., Presciutti S.M., Rao S., Richardson S.M., Romereim S., Schmitz T.C., Schol J., Setton L., Sheyn D., Snuggs J.W., Sun Y., Tan X., Tryfonidou M.A., Vo N., Wang D., Williams B., Williams R., Yoon S.T., Le Maitre C.L., Harmonization and standardization of nucleus pulposus cell extraction and culture methods, JOR Spine, 6, (1), 2023, Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Browe, D.C. and Díaz-Payno, P.J. and Freeman, F.E. and Schipani, R. and Burdis, R. and Ahern, D.P. and Nulty, J.M. and Guler, S. and Randall, L.D. and Buckley, C.T. and Brama, P.A.J. and Kelly, D.J., Bilayered extracellular matrix derived scaffolds with anisotropic pore architecture guide tissue organization during osteochondral defect repair, Acta Biomaterialia, 143, 2022, p266-281 , Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
McDonnell, E.E. and Buckley, C.T., Consolidating and re-evaluating the human disc nutrient microenvironment, JOR Spine, 5, (1), 2022, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
Hibbitts, A.J. and KoÄ Ã­, Z. and Kneafsey, S. and Matsiko, A. and ÅœiliÄ , L. and Dervan, A. and Hinton, P. and Chen, G. and Cavanagh, B. and Dowling, J.K. and McCoy, C.E. and Buckley, C.T. and Archibald, S.J. and O'Brien, F.J., Multi-factorial nerve guidance conduit engineering improves outcomes in inflammation, angiogenesis and large defect nerve repair, Matrix Biology, 106, 2022, p34-57 , Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  DOI
Samuel, S. and McDonnell, E.E. and Buckley, C.T., Effects of Growth Factor Combinations TGFβ3, GDF5 and GDF6 on the Matrix Synthesis of Nucleus Pulposus and Nasoseptal Chondrocyte Self-Assembled Microtissues, Applied Sciences (Switzerland), 12, (3), 2022, Notes: [cited By 0], Journal Article, PUBLISHED  TARA - Full Text  DOI
  

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Gansau J., McDonnell E. and Buckley, C.T. , Enhancing the local acidic microenvironment found in degenerated intervertebral discs using pH neutralizing microcapsules, Proceedings of the 26th Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, Mount Wolseley Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort, Co Carlow, Ireland , 2020, Oral Presentation, PRESENTED
Ryan T. and Buckley, C.T. , Ambient temperature transportation of chondrocytes for cell therapies, 24th Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa, Enfield, Co. Meath , 2018, Poster, PRESENTED
Tornifoglio B., Kerskens C.M. and Buckley C.T., Non-invasive characterisation of the intervertebral disc microenvionment through finite element modelling and magnetic resonance imaging, 24th Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, Johnstown Estate Hotel & Spa, Enfield, Co. Meath , 2018, Poster, PRESENTED
Irwin, P.P. and Buckley, C.T. , Glucose mapping of bovine intervertebral disc organ culture models. An experimental and numerical analysis. , Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, 2017, Poster, PRESENTED
Mandal, P. and Buckley, C.T., Comparison of bone marrow stem cells and nasal chondrocytes for nucleus pulposus regeneration, Proceedings of the 23rd Annual Conference of the Section of Bioengineering of the Royal Academy of Medicine in Ireland, 2017, Poster, PRESENTED
Buckley C.T. , Regenerating the Intervertebral Disc- Biomaterial Strategies, Stem Cells and Microenvironmental Effects, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, USA, Nov , 2014, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Buckley C.T. , SCIENCE & SPORTS INJURIES- How tissue engineering will reduce the need for complex surgery?, A World of Science in Sport, Public Lecture, Global Room, Trinity College Dublin, Jul , 2014, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Buckley C.T. , Regenerative Medicine & Tissue Engineering, Trinity Centre for Bioengineering Winter Symposium, Trinity College Dublin, Dec , 2010, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Buckley C.T. , Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Therapies for Articular Cartilage Repair, Mesenchymal Stem Cell Group Seminar Series, University of Leeds, July , 2010, Invited Talk, PRESENTED
Buckley C.T. , Articular Cartilage Repair- Biophysical and Biochemical Environments for Mesenchymal Stem Cell Based Therapies, Seminar Series, University of Sheffield, UK, May , 2010, Invited Talk, PRESENTED

  

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Awards and Honours

Award Date
Top Cited Article, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2022-2023). Consolidating and re-evaluating the human disc nutrient microenvironment. JOR Spine, 5(1):e1192, 2022. Contribution- Senior Author 2023
Top Cited Article, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2022-2023). Rat tail models for assessment of injectable nucleus pulposus regeneration strategies. JOR Spine, 5(3): e1216, 2022 Contribution- Senior Author 2023
Top Downloaded Article, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2022-2023). Rat tail models for assessment of injectable nucleus pulposus regeneration strategies. JOR Spine, 5(3): e1216, 2022 Contribution- Senior Author 2023
Top Cited Article, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2021-2022). Investigating the physiological relevance of ex vivo disc organ culture nutrient microenvironments using in-silico modelling and experimental validation. JOR Spine 4(2):e1141, 2021. Contribution- Senior Author 2022
Trinity College Dublin Innovation Awards 2022- In recognition of achieving Campus Company Status (Altach Biomedical). Contribution- Co-Founder 2022
Fellow of Trinity College Dublin (FTCD) 2020
European Research Council Consolidator Grant- Principal Investigator 2020
Top 10% Downloaded Articles, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2018-2019). Advancing cell therapies for intervertebral disc regeneration from the lab to the clinic: Recommendations of the ORS spine section. Contribution- Senior Author 2020
Top 10% Downloaded Articles, Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A (2018-2019). Glyoxal cross-linking of solubilized extracellular matrix to produce highly porous, elastic, and chondro-permissive scaffolds for orthopedic tissue engineering. Contribution- Co-Author 2020
Top 20 Downloaded Articles, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2017-2018). Critical aspects and challenges for intervertebral disc repair and regeneration-Harnessing advances in tissue engineering. Contribution- First Author 2019
Top 20 Downloaded Articles, Journal of Orthopaedic Research-Spine (2017-2018). Advancing cell therapies for intervertebral disc regeneration from the lab to the clinic: Recommendations of the ORS spine section. Contribution- Senior Author 2018
Honorary Associate Professor, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland & Trinity College Dublin 2018
Science Foundation Ireland, Career Development Award- Principal Investigator 2016
Irish Research Council (IRC) New foundations Award- Principal Investigator 2014
Global Medical Discovery Series. Contribution- Principal Investigator 2014
Engineers Ireland Biomedical Research Medal- Co-Investigator 2014
Best overall MSc Thesis in Bioengineering. Principal Investigator 2012-2016
Engineers Ireland Biomedical Research Medal. Co-Investigator 2012
European Society of Biomechanics S.M. Perren Award. Co-Investigator 2012
Science Foundation Ireland Travel Fellowship- Investigator 2009