Dr. Mark Ahearne

• Wilson SL, Ahearne M, Hopkinson A, An overview of current techniques for ocular toxicity testing., Toxicology., 327, 2015, p32 - 46Journal Article, 2015, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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 - 13Journal Article, 2014, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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, p26-37Journal Article, 2016, DOI
• Lynch AP, Wilson SL, Ahearne M, Dextran Preserves Native Corneal Structure During Decellularization., Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods, 22, (6), 2016, p561-72Journal Article, 2016, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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, p376-84Journal Article, 2016, DOI
• 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, p259-67Journal Article, 2016, DOI
• Ahearne M, Lynch AP, Early Observation of Extracellular Matrix-Derived Hydrogels for Corneal Stroma Regeneration., Tissue engineering. Part C, Methods, 21, (10), 2015, p1059-69Journal Article, 2015, DOI
• 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, p6Journal Article, 2017, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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
• 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
• 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), 2017Meeting 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), 2017Meeting 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), 2017Meeting Abstract, 2017
• Kador KE, Ahearne M, Influence of electrospun scaffolds geometry on corneal stromal cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017Meeting 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, 2017Meeting Abstract, 2017
• Kelly CP, Kador KE, Ahearne M, Material stiffness a key regulator of corneal stromal cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017Meeting Abstract, 2017
• Masterton S, Ahearne M, Examining the effect of mechanical conditions on corneal epithelial cells, 23rd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Belfast, 2017Meeting 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, 2017Meeting Abstract, 2017
• 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), 2016Meeting 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), 2016Meeting 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), 2016Meeting Abstract, 2016
• Kador KE, Ahearne M, Development of novel electrospun scaffolds for corneal tissue engineering, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016Meeting Abstract, 2016
• Fernandez-Perez J, Ahearne M, Influence of biochemical factors on corneal cell behaviour and scaffold design, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016Meeting Abstract, 2016
• Kelly C, Kador KE, Ahearne M, Influence of material properties on corneal cell behaviour, 22nd Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Galway, 2016Meeting Abstract, 2016
• Lynch AP, Wilson, SL, Ahearne M, Dextran: An ally for corneal decellularization, 2nd Annual Matrix Biology Ireland Meeting, University College Dublin, 2015Meeting Abstract, 2015
• Lynch AP, Wilson, SL, Ahearne M, Ultrastructural maintenance of decellularization corneas using dextran, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 93, (S255), 2015Meeting 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, 2015Meeting Abstract, 2015
• Ahearne M, Fabrication of a hydrogel from extracellular matrix for corneal bioengineering, 21st Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Kildare, 2015Meeting 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, 2015Meeting Abstract, 2015
• Wilson SL, Lynch A, Ahearne M, Investigating the use of dextran in corneal decellularization, Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting, Nottingham, UK, 2015Meeting Abstract, 2015
• Ahearne M, Development of an ECM hydrogel for corneal tissue engineering, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 92, (S253), 2014Meeting Abstract, 2014
• 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), 2014Meeting Abstract, 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), 2014Meeting Abstract, 2014
• 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, 2014Meeting Abstract, 2014
• Ahearne M, Lynch A, Extracellular matrix derived hydrogel for corneal tissue engineering, ACTA Ophthalmologica, European Vision and Eye Research Congress, Nice, France, 91, (S252), 2013Meeting Abstract, 2013
• 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), 2013Meeting Abstract, 2013
• 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, 2013Meeting Abstract, 2013
• Lynch A, Ahearne M, Development of a decellularized scaffold for corneal tissue engineering, 19th Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conference, Kildare, 2013Meeting Abstract, 2013
• 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), 2012Meeting 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), 2012Meeting Abstract, 2012
• 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), 2012Meeting 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, 2012Meeting 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, 2012Meeting 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, 2012Meeting Abstract, 2012
• Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Yang Y, Dictation of cell orientation throughout three dimensional hydrogels, 9th World Biomaterials Congress , Chengdu, China, 2012Meeting Abstract, 2012
• 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, 2011Meeting Abstract, 2011
• 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, 2011Meeting Abstract, 2011
• 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, 2011Meeting Abstract, 2011
• 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, 2010Meeting Abstract, 2010
• 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, 2009Meeting Abstract, 2009
• 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, 2009Meeting 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, 2009Meeting Abstract, 2009
• 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, 2009Meeting Abstract, 2009
• 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, 2008Meeting 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, 2008Meeting 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, 2008Meeting Abstract, 2008
• Yang Y, Ahearne M, Bagnaninchi PO, El Haj AJ, Visualization of structural evolution in tissue engineering tendon, TERMIS-EU Annual meeting, Porto, Portugal, 2008Meeting Abstract, 2008
• Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Mechanical characterization of tissue engineered corneal stroma, World Congress of Biomechanics, Munich, Germany, 2006Meeting 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, 2006Meeting Abstract, 2006
• Ahearne M, Yang Y, El Haj AJ, Then KY, Liu KK, Mechanical characterisation and stimulation of corneal stroma equivalents, TCES Conference, London, 2005Meeting 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, 2005Meeting Abstract, 2005
• 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, 2005Meeting 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, 2004Meeting 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, 2004Meeting 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, 2004Meeting Abstract, 2004
• Masterton S, Ahearne M., Mechanobiology of the corneal epithelium., Experimental eye research, 177, 2018, p122-129Journal Article, 2018, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., Influence of Biochemical Cues in Human Corneal Stromal Cell Phenotype., Current eye research, 44, 2019, p135-146Journal 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, p74-83Journal Article, 2019, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., Decellularization and recellularization of cornea: Progress towards a donor alternative., Methods, 171, 2020, p86 - 96Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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, p110093Journal Article, 2019, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Fernández-Pérez J, Ahearne M., The impact of decellularization methods on extracellular matrix derived hydrogels., Scientific reports, 9, (1), 2019, p14933Journal Article, 2019, 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, 2020Journal Article, 2020, 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
• 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, p110971Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Ahearne M., Fernandez-Perez J., Masterton S., Madden P.W., Bhattacharjee P., Designing Scaffolds for Corneal Regeneration, Advanced Functional Materials, 2020Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Bhattacharjee P., Cavanagh B.L., Ahearne M., Influence of micropatterned substrates on keratocyte phenotype, Scientific Reports, 10, (1), 2020Journal Article, 2020, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Fernández-Pérez J, Madden PW, Ahearne M., Engineering a Corneal Stromal Equivalent Using a Novel Multilayered Fabrication Assembly Technique., Tissue engineering. Part A, 2020Journal Article, 2020, 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
• Bhattacharjee, P. and Ahearne, M., Fabrication and biocompatibility of electroconductive silk fibroin/pedot: Pss composites for corneal epithelial regeneration, Polymers, 12, (12), 2020, p1-7Journal Article, 2020, DOI , URL , 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), 2020Journal Article, 2020, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
• Ahearne, M., Corneal extracellular matrix decellularization, Methods in Cell Biology, 157, 2020, p81-95Journal Article, 2020, DOI , URL
• Fabrication of corneal extracellular matrix-derived hydrogels in, 2020, pp159-168 , [Ahearne, M. and Fernandez-Perez, J.]Book Chapter, 2020, DOI , URL
• 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, p185-196Journal Article, 2020, DOI , URL
• Wilson, S.L. and Ahearne, M. and Hopkinson, A., An overview of current techniques for ocular toxicity testing, Toxicology, 327, 2015, p32-46Journal Article, 2015, DOI , URL
• 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, p171-190Journal Article, 2014, URL
• Ahearne, M., Corneal Regeneration Methods and Protocols, Humana Press, 2020Book, 2020
• 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, pe0245406Journal Article, 2021, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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), 2021Journal Article, 2021, DOI , URL
• Fernández-Pérez, J. and Madden, P.W. and Ahearne, M., Multilayered fabrication assembly technique to engineer a corneal stromal equivalent, Bio-protocol, 11, (6), 2021Journal Article, 2021, DOI , URL
• 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), 2019Journal Article, 2019, DOI , URL
• Bhattacharjee, P. and Ahearne, M., Influence of spiral topographies on human limbal-derived immortalized corneal epithelial cells, Experimental Eye Research, 225, (109252), 2022Journal Article, 2022, DOI , URL
• 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.), 2022Journal 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., Silk fibroin based interpenetrating network hydrogel for corneal stromal regeneration, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 223, 2022, p583-594Journal Article, 2022, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Bhattacharjee, P. and Madden, P.W. and Patriarca, E. and Ahearne, M., Optimization and evaluation of oxygen-plasma-modified, aligned, poly (e-caprolactone) and silk fibroin nanofibrous scaffold for corneal stromal regeneration, Biomaterials and Biosystems, 12, (100083), 2023Journal Article, 2023, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• 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 - 55Journal Article, 2002
• Woodruff, D.P., Holloway, S., McGovern, I.T. , Preface , 1994, - viiMiscellaneous, 1994
• 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, p345-352Journal Article, 2011, DOI
• 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, p121-134Journal Article, 2012, DOI , URL , TARA - Full Text
• 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, p88-93Journal Article, 2011, DOI
• Yang Y, Wimpenny I, Ahearne M, Portable nanofiber meshes dictate cell orientation throughout three-dimensional hydrogels., Nanomedicine : Nanotechnology, Biology, and Medicine, 7, (2), 2011, p131-6Journal Article, 2011, 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, p584-91Journal Article, 2010, 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, p319-27Journal Article, 2010, DOI
• 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, p521-4Journal Article, 2008, DOI
• 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, p471-8Journal Article, 2009, DOI
• 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, p268-71Journal Article, 2008, 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, p1608-16Journal Article, 2007, 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, p1169-73Journal Article, 2007, DOI
• 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, p455-63Journal Article, 2005, DOI
• 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 - 3649Journal Article, 2012, DOI
• Li C, Ahearne M, Liu KK, Micromechanical characterizations of hydrogel based contact lens, International Journal of Modern Physics B, 24, (1), 2010, p117 - 127Journal Article, 2010, DOI
• 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, pp7898-7Conference Paper, 2011
• 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
• 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
• 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
• 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, A novel indentation technique for the mechanical characterization of human cornea, IFMBE Proceedings EMBEC, 11, (1), 2005, pp1885-Conference Paper, 2005
• Ahearne M, Liu KK, Yang Y, Dual-camera spherical indentation system for examining the mechanical characteristics of hydrogels, IFMBE Proceedings , 22, 2008, pp2011-2014Conference Paper, 2008
• Ahearne M, El Haj A, Rauz S, Yang Y, Online monitoring the mechanical remodeling of hydrogels by corneal fibroblasts., IFMBE Proceedings , 30, 2011, pp1-4Conference Paper, 2011
• Lynch AP, Ahearne M, Strategies for developing decellularized corneal scaffolds, Experimental Eye Research, 108, 2013, p42-47Journal Article, 2013, DOI
• 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, p035004Journal Article, 2013, DOI
• 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 - 939Journal Article, 2014, DOI , TARA - Full Text
• Ahearne M, Introduction to cell-hydrogel mechanosensing., Interface focus, 4, (2), 2014, p1 - 12Journal Article, 2014, DOI , TARA - Full Text

My research has focused on generating novel therapies to treat blindness by using tissue engineering, advanced biomaterials, mechanobiology and cell-based technologies. My approach involves first understanding how ocular cells respond to differing environments and then using this information to develop novel therapeutic strategies. Specific examples of my research include: - Developing decellularized corneal scaffolds and hydrogels for corneal regeneration. I led the first research team to develop a decellularized corneal matrix hydrogel to replace damaged cornea, a technique that is now used by many other researchers. The hydrogels do not require sutures for implantation, integrate well with the native tissue and allow light to pass through to enable vision. - Investigating the influence that different physical factors, such as stiffness, matrix viscoelasticity, topography and shear stress, have on corneal and trabecular meshwork cells with the aim of determining how these factors can be used to control cell behaviour and design better implants. I have also examined how specific signalling pathways within cells are affected by these factors. - Isolation and differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells into corneal cells for corneal regeneration. The lack of donor corneal tissue for transplantation has led me to investigate using these cells as an alternative cell source for generating corneal tissue. - Manufacturing novel nanofiber constructs for tissue repair using a variety of different biomaterials. I have been able to fabricate constructs that mimic the complex microstructure of real tissues. - Designing organ-on-a-chip technology to model fluid flow in the eye. My team have developed a trabecular meshwork model that could be used to test novel glaucoma pharmaceutics as an alternative to animal testing. We have also developed a corneal model to identify how fluid flow affects specific cell processes in the eye and used this information to target those processes for the development of new drugs and therapies. In addition to conducting ocular research, I have experience in other areas of biomedical engineering. These include the development of a growth factor delivery hydrogel for cartilage regeneration, production and characterization of biodegradable composite bone implants, characterizing tenocyte (tendon cells) behaviour in a cyclical strain bioreactor system and examining the mechanical and viscoelastic characteristics of tissues and cell seeded hydrogels.

• Title

  Development of a novel stem cell approach for corneal tissue engineering
  Summary
  Funding Agency

  Science Foundation Ireland and Marie-Curie COFUND
  Date From

  01/07/2012
  Date To

  31/12/2016
• Title

  EyeRegen: Engineering a scaffold-based therapy for corneal regeneration
  Summary
  Funding Agency

  European Research Council
  Date From

  01/07/2015
  Date To

  30/06/2020
• Title

  Examination of the effect matrix viscoelasticity and fluid flow on the regulation of corneal and trabecular meshwork cells
  Summary
  Funding Agency

  Irish Research Council
  Date From

  1/9/2022

Biochemistry and cell biology, Medical and biomedical engineering, Nanotechnology, Basic Medicine and Life Sciences, Condensed matter physics, Other engineering and technologies,

• DePuy Young Researcher Award - Student Supervisor 2013
• 3rd placed poster award, TCES annual conference, Sheffield, UK - First Author 2006
• 1st place at Expertissues Bioreactor Design and Stem Cell Processing Workshop, UK 2006
• Royal Society Conference Travel Award Recipient 2008
• Listed in the Stanford/Elsevier top 2% scientist rankings for 2023 and 2024 2023-24
• Best student poster at 8th China-Europe Symposium on Biomaterials in Regenerative Medicine in Nuremberg, Germany - Student Supervisor 2024
• Royal Academy of Engineers Travel Award Recipient 2009
• 1st placed poster award, 20th Nottingham Eye Symposium and Research Meeting, University of Nottingham - Co-author 2015
• 1st placed poster award, 4th Annual Limbal Stem Cell Meeting, Nottingham, UK - Co-author 2012
• Royal Academy of Engineers Travel Award Recipient 2005
• Travel award for best paper in the category of Corneal and Ocular Surface at the European Vision and Eye Research Conference - Student Supervisor 2013

• Fight for Sight Scientific Grants Assessment Panel
• COST action - CA18116 (Management committee member)
• Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS)
• International Society for Eye Research (ISER)
• Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
• International Society for Eye Research (ISER)
• COST action - BM1302 (Management committee member and working group vice-chair)
• European Vision and Eye Research (EVER)
• Engineers Ireland

• Fight for Sight UK Research Assessment Panel member 2023 - Present
• Session organizer and chair for International Society of Eye Research biannual meeting 2018
• Editorial board member for Discover Applied Sciences 2024 - Present
• Management committee member and elected vice-chair of scaffold development working group for COST action BM1302 2013-2018
• Symposium organiser and session chair at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society European Chapter (TERMIS-EU) meeting (Davos, Switzerland) 2017
• Session chair at European Vision and Eye Research meeting (Nice, France) 2013
• Invited session chair for the Annual Bioengineering in Ireland Conferences from 2012 to 2024
• Symposium organiser and session chair at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society European Chapter (TERMIS-EU) meeting (Rhodes, Greece) 2019
• Symposium organiser and session chair at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society European Chapter (TERMIS-EU) meeting (Manchester, UK) 2023
• Editorial board member for Scientific Reports 2024 - Present
• Symposium organiser and session chair at Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society European Chapter (TERMIS-EU) meeting (Freiburg, Germany) 2025
• Management committee member for COST action CA18116 2018-2023