Biomaterials and Tissue Engineering Research Group
Buckley Lab, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
About Us
The focus of the Buckley lab is to develop novel biomaterial and cell based strategies to regenerate or repair damaged tissues and restore biomechanical function using minimal invasive strategies.
Conor Buckley is a Principal investigator (PI) in the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering and the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin. His research focuses on novel biomaterials, biofabrication and cell-based strategies for tissue regeneration. Buckley has received funding in the areas of biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as PI (>€3.5million) and as co-investigator (>€10.45million). He has published 70 international peer reviewed journal articles and over 180 conference publications. Prof. Buckley also founded the Med3DP initiative (www.med3dp.com) to develop medical devices for humanitarian healthcare using 3D printing technology. Buckley is also PI on several commercial projects developing biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair (Integra Life Sciences) and bioprinting for next generation implantable devices and tissues for orthopaedic applications (Johnson & Johnson). He recently received a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator award to develop personalised medicine approaches to regenerating the intervertebral disc
Conor Buckley is a Principal investigator (PI) in the Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering and the Advanced Materials and Bioengineering Research (AMBER) Centre at Trinity College Dublin. His research focuses on novel biomaterials, biofabrication and cell-based strategies for tissue regeneration. Buckley has received funding in the areas of biomaterials, tissue engineering and regenerative medicine as PI (>€3.5million) and as co-investigator (>€10.45million). He has published 70 international peer reviewed journal articles and over 180 conference publications. Prof. Buckley also founded the Med3DP initiative (www.med3dp.com) to develop medical devices for humanitarian healthcare using 3D printing technology. Buckley is also PI on several commercial projects developing biomaterials for peripheral nerve repair (Integra Life Sciences) and bioprinting for next generation implantable devices and tissues for orthopaedic applications (Johnson & Johnson). He recently received a European Research Council (ERC) Consolidator award to develop personalised medicine approaches to regenerating the intervertebral disc
Our Research
Research Team
Dr. Shani Samuel
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Effect of Growth Factors and Acidic Microenvironments on Discogenic Differentiation
Dr. Kevin Behan
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Injectable Biomaterials for Musculoskeletal Regeneration
Dr. Marcos Barcellona
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Development and Characterisation of Injectable Gene Activated Biomaterials
Chiara Borrelli
PhD Candidate
Development and Functional Assessment of a Decellularised Injectable Biomaterial Combined with Nasal Chondrocytes for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration
Emily McDonnell
PhD Candidate
In Silico Modelling and Development of Physiologically Relevant Organ Culture Systems for Assessment of Intervertebral Disc Cell-based Therapies
Tugdual Haffner
PhD Candidate
3D Printing of Fibrous Electroconductive Biomaterials with Controlled Architectures for Peripheral Nerve Repair
Niamh Wilson
MAI Candidate
Design, fabrication and modelling of a high-throughput organoid-on-a-chip to assess nutrient microenvironmental effects for intervertebral disc regeneration
Caoimhe Murphy
MSc Candidate
4 Axis Printing for Engineering Intervertebral Disc Replacements
Vacancies
PhD studentship- Injectable Gene Activated Biomaterials for Personalised Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc
Learn MoreOct 22, 2020PhD studentship- Microenvironmental Profiling, Predictive Screening and In Silico Modelling for Personalised Regeneration of the Intervertebral Disc
Learn MoreOct 22, 2020Postdoctoral Research Fellow- Tissue-derived Bioinks for 3D Printing Applications- Material Characterisation, Biocompatibility and Immunomodulatory Behaviour
Learn MoreOct 22, 2020Funding & Partnerships
ERC-INTEGRATE
INTEGRATE- Personalised Medicine for Intervertebral Disc Regeneration- Integrating Profiling, Predictive Modelling and Gene Activated Biomaterials
Project Summary: Lower back pain is a global epidemiological and socioeconomic problem. Biomaterial and cell-based therapies have been pursued for the treatment of degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD), with a number of clinical trials underway. However, the degenerated intervertebral disc has a distinct environment (e.g. altered oxygen, glucose, acidity, inflammatory cytokine levels) that is unique to an individual (i.e. patient-specific) and will ultimately determine the likelihood and rate at which regeneration can occur. A “one size fits all” approach will lead to the failure to demonstrate efficacy of advanced therapies, as they are not being designed or personalised for individual patients. This proposal envisions a future whereby advanced gene activated cell therapies are personalised (targeting regeneration or modulating inflammation) to treat back pain based on knowing the individuals unique disc microenvironment. This will be achieved through profiling of individual patient disc microenvironmental factors, with in vitro screening and in silico modelling to design cell therapies and predict regeneration outcomes (Aim 1) combined with the development of tailored functionalised gene activated biomaterials (Aim 2), to enhance matrix formation and modulate the inflammatory processes (Aim 3). Gene-based therapy offers several advantages over direct delivery of proteins or small molecules, among them the possibility of sustained efficacy and endogenous synthesis of growth factors or suppression of inflammatory factors and pathways. The platform technology (personalised gene activated biomaterials to regulate regeneration and inflammation) and knowledge (tailoring cell therapies to suit patient-specific microenvironments) generated through this research are beyond the current state-of-the-art and will provide a significant transformative scientific and clinical step change opening new horizons in minimally-invasive therapeutic strategies.
Funded by: European Research Council (ERC), Consolidator Award (CoG) (2020-2025)
Grant ID: 864104
Project Summary: Lower back pain is a global epidemiological and socioeconomic problem. Biomaterial and cell-based therapies have been pursued for the treatment of degenerated intervertebral disc (IVD), with a number of clinical trials underway. However, the degenerated intervertebral disc has a distinct environment (e.g. altered oxygen, glucose, acidity, inflammatory cytokine levels) that is unique to an individual (i.e. patient-specific) and will ultimately determine the likelihood and rate at which regeneration can occur. A “one size fits all” approach will lead to the failure to demonstrate efficacy of advanced therapies, as they are not being designed or personalised for individual patients. This proposal envisions a future whereby advanced gene activated cell therapies are personalised (targeting regeneration or modulating inflammation) to treat back pain based on knowing the individuals unique disc microenvironment. This will be achieved through profiling of individual patient disc microenvironmental factors, with in vitro screening and in silico modelling to design cell therapies and predict regeneration outcomes (Aim 1) combined with the development of tailored functionalised gene activated biomaterials (Aim 2), to enhance matrix formation and modulate the inflammatory processes (Aim 3). Gene-based therapy offers several advantages over direct delivery of proteins or small molecules, among them the possibility of sustained efficacy and endogenous synthesis of growth factors or suppression of inflammatory factors and pathways. The platform technology (personalised gene activated biomaterials to regulate regeneration and inflammation) and knowledge (tailoring cell therapies to suit patient-specific microenvironments) generated through this research are beyond the current state-of-the-art and will provide a significant transformative scientific and clinical step change opening new horizons in minimally-invasive therapeutic strategies.
Funded by: European Research Council (ERC), Consolidator Award (CoG) (2020-2025)
Grant ID: 864104
Contact
- Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Centre for Biomedical Engineering, Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute
