The life cycle of multicellular organisms is a well-orchestrated sequence of modular developmental, morphogenesis, remodelling and regeneration, but also disease manifestation, progression and metastasis processes. At Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), we aspire to achieve the highest level of biomimicry, by recapitulating nature’s elegant and meticulous processes.
REMODEL is a multidisciplinary and intersectoral hub that develops, derisks and commercialises transformative and disruptive end-user informed:
A. Biomaterial- and cell- based therapeutic, reparative and regenerative products for healthcare.
B. In vitro pathophysiology models for drug discovery.
C. Cellular agriculture and aquaculture meat products for food security.
D. Tools and technologies that enable effective and efficient ex vivo cell propagation for the cell culture sector.
REMODEL expands knowledge to provide insights into how life works and to improve human lives through provision of curiosity and problem driven research. We push the frontiers in engineering, chemistry, biology and medicine to generate new knowledge, technologies, tools and discoveries that will revolutionise healthcare, drug discovery, food security and cell culture sectors.
REMODEL seeks to encompass tomorrow’s leaders with education, knowledge, wisdom, imagination, ethical values and transferable skills to enable them to make the world a better place. We achieve this through provision of world-class multidisciplinary and inter-sectoral, value and research based continuous education experience.
REMODEL is committed to socially responsible development and use of current and future tools, discoveries and technologies. REMODEL welcomes discussions on the ethical and social implications of our scientific and technological developments. We adhere to strict confidentiality agreements and informed consent procedures. We respect animals involved in research and in their humane treatment. We affirm commitment to integrity and ethical conduct of the highest standards.
REMODEL commits to promote and contribute towards better health, economic, environmental and social well-being.
We develop ethical, sustainable and planet-friendly cellular agriculture and aquaculture products, using novel processing systems that enhance the quality of foods, satisfy the nutritional needs of consumers and ensure security and safety of the entire food chain.
We develop tools and technologies to control permanently differentiated, stem and engineered cell fate during ex vivo expansion, using an array of biophysical (e.g. surface topography, substrate rigidity, three-dimensional culture, mechanical stimulation, macromolecular crowding), biochemical (e.g. physiological for the cells oxygen tension, small molecule supplementation) and biological (e.g. growth factor supplementation, gene transfer / editing) methods.
REMODEL, Director
University College Dublin, Full Professor
Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, Senior Fellow
Charles Institute of Dermatology, Principal Investigator
Biomaterials and Biosystems, Editor-in-Chief
International Combined Orthopaedic Research Societies, Fellow of International Orthopaedic Research
Tissue Engineering & Regenerative Medicine International Society, Member of Endorsement and Meetings & Sponsorship Committees
Place of Birth: Athens, Greece
Place of Origin: Apeiranthos, Naxos, Greece
Vices: Research, Nicotine, Caffeine, Whiskies, A.E.K. of Athens, R nineT Scrambler
Marital Status: In relationship with Oonagh Dwane
Dependants: Anastasia Dwane-Zevgolis, Greta Garbo (Springer Spaniel), Memphis Tennessee Williams (German Shorthaired Pointer), Sophia Loren (Cat 1), Lady Marmalade (Cat 2)
12/2006: PhD in Biomedical and Biomaterials Engineering, The University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
09/2000: MSc in Food Science and Technology, Lincolnshire & Humberside University, Great Grimsby, UK
09/1999: BSc (Honours) in Animal Sciences, Technological Education Institute of Epirus, Arta, Greece
07/2021-Present: Full Professor. School of Mechanical & Materials Engineering, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
07/2021-Present: Director. Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
07/2021-Present: Senior Fellow. Conway Institute of Biomolecular & Biomedical Research, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
07/2021-Present: Principal Investigator. Charles Institute of Dermatology, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
07/2021-Present: Adjunct Professor. National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
04/2019-Present: Founder & Director. REMODEL Scientific Services, Galway, Ireland
10/2018-Present: Co-Director. Laboratory of Animal Science, Nutrition and Biotechnology, School of Agriculture, Division of Animal Production, University of Ioannina, Arta, Greece
06/2020-06/2021: Personal Professor. National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
06/2020-05/2021: Visiting Professor. Universita della Svizzera Italiana, Lugano, Switzerland
03/2015-06/2021: Director. Regenerative, Modular & Developmental Engineering Laboratory (REMODEL), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
10/2014-06/2021: Executive Committee, Investigator & Platform Lead. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Centre for Research in Medical Devices (CÚRAM), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
09/2014-09/2018: Visiting Professor. Technological Education Institute of Epirus, Arta, Greece
06/2013-08/2014: Marie Curie Experienced Research Fellow. NW Tex Net, Bolton, UK & Vornia Biomaterials, Galway, Ireland
09/2009-08/2020: Lecturer. Atlantic University Alliance, Galway, Ireland
09/2009-08/2014: Founder and Scientific Advisory Board. Vornia Biomaterials Ltd, Galway, Ireland
09/2008-08/2014: Principal Investigator. Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) Strategic Research Cluster (SRC), Network of Excellence for Functional Biomaterials (NFB), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
09/2008-05/2020: Lecturer. National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
12/2007-08/2008: Government of Ireland Research Fellow. National Centre for Biomedical Engineering Science (NCBES), National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
05/2007-01/2008: Research Fellow, Scale A. Division of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering & Immunology Programme, Department of Microbiology, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
05/2005-05/2007: Research Bioengineer (Post-Doctorate). Division of Bioengineering, Faculty of Engineering, Tissue Modulation Laboratory, National University of Singapore Tissue Engineering Programme (NUSTEP) and Department of Biochemistry, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore
10/2002-08/2004: Laboratory Assistant. Faculty of Applied Sciences, The University of Northampton, Northampton, UK
09/2000-09/2001: Research Assistant. Food Research Centre, University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
01/1998-12/1998: Quality Control & New Product Development Officer. Devro Ltd, Athens, Greece
Adrian Djalali-Cuevas
Alessandro Dei
Alexandre Watigny
Alessia Di Nubila
Andrea Rossoni
Caglar Ersanli
Diana Rafaela Costa Goncalves
Giulia Giuffredi
Ignacio Sallent
Kyriakos Spanoudes
Laura Trujillo Cubillo
Lefki Chaniotaki
Meletios-Nikolaos Doulgkeroglou
Naledi Shologu
Paul Oudin
Ran Wang
Rita Peixoto
Salome Guillaumin
Shubhasmin Rana
Zhuoran Ma
Dr Giovanni Lauretta (2023-Present)
N/A
Abhay Pandit, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Alan O'Riordan, Tyndall National Institute, Ireland
Anne Maria Mullen, Teagasc Research Centre, Ireland
Aoife Lowery, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Athina Tzora, University of Ioannina, Greece
Brian J Rodriguez, University College Dublin, Ireland
Carlos Elvira, Institute of Polymer Science and Technology, CSIC, Spain
Cinzia Giannini, National Research Council, Italy
Eva Szegezdi, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Gerald J Wall, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Giuseppe Perale, Industrie Biomediche Insubri, Switzerland
Gordon Paul, Devro, UK
Graham Cross, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
Graham Riley, University of East Anglia, UK
Gülinnaz Ercan, Ege University, Turkey
Ioannis Skoufos, University of Ioannina, Greece
Jack Kelly, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
Jan De Boer, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
Janeck J Scott-Fordsmand, Aarhus University, Denmark
Jerome Guicheux, University of Nantes, France
Jos Olijve, Rousselot, Belgium
Jose Carlos Rodriguez-Cabello, University of Valladolid, Spain
Manuela E Gomes, University of Minho, Portugal
Manus Biggs, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Maria Chatzinikolaidou, University of Crete, Greece
Maria Grazia Raucci, National Research Council, Italy
Martin Stoddart, AO Foundation, Switzerland
Matilde Alonso Rodrigo, University of Valladolid, Spain
Matthew D Griffin, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Mauro Alini, AO Foundation, Switzerland
Michael Kerin, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Michael Raghunath, Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Switzerland
Niall Rooney, Proxy Biomedical, Ireland
Nikitas Prassinos, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Nikolaos Diakakis, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
Oded Shoseyov, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
Patrick Kugelmeier, Kugelmeiers, Switzerland
Rui L Reis, University of Minho, Portugal
Stephen Kearns, Galway University Hospital, Ireland
Syed AM Tofail, Limerick University, Ireland
Tero AH Jarvinen, Tampere University, Finland
Timothy O'Brien, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Ulf Olsson, Lund University, Sweden
Una FitzGerald, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Vincent Ronfard, Cutiss, Switzerland
Wing Chang, Stem Cell Technologies, UK
Yury Rochev, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland
Yves Bayon, Medtronic, France
David Lyden, Cornell University, USA
Gabriel Aguirre Alvarez, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mexico
George C Tsokos, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Harvard University, USA
John Zwaagstra, National Research Council, Canada
Justin Baker, Viscus Biologics, USA
Peter Gingras, Viscus Biologics, USA
Dietmar W Hutmacher, Queensland University of Technology, Australia
Andrea Rampin (2023)
Eugenia Pugliese (2023)
Sergio Garnica Galvez (2023)
Sofia Carreira Ribeiro (2023)
Anna Sorushanova (2022)
Joao Quintas Coentro (2021)
Zhuning Wu (2021)
Andrea De Pieri (2020)
Dimitrios Tsiapalis (2020)
Hector Capella-Monsonis (2020)
Christina NM Ryan (2019)
Kieran Fuller (2018)
Valeria Graceffa (2018)
Diana Alves Gaspar (2017)
Luis M Delgado (2017)
Ayesha Azeem (2016)
Abhigyan Satyam (2015)
Andrew English (2015)
Pramod Kumar (2015)
Dr Mehmet Gürdal (2020-2022)
Dr Stefanie Korntner (2017-2019)
Dr Diana Alves Gaspar (2017-2019)
Dr Daniela Cigognini (2012-2014)
Dr Sunny-Akogwu Abbah (2013-2014)
Dr Alex J Lomas (2012-2014)
Dr Carolyn Holladay (2012-2013)
Dr Michael Keeney (2009-2010)
Dr Ramesh Babu (2009-2010)
Mostafa Abdelhai Siadahmed (2022-2023)
Edoardo Massarelli (2021-2022)
Elena De Lucia (2019-2022)
Ana Fradinho (2016-2018)
Abhigyan Satyam (2014-2015)
Geoff Hanley (2014-2015)
Pramod Kumar (2014-2015)
Ayelen Luna Helling (2013-2015)
Eleni Tsekoura (2013-2015)
Anna Sorushanova (2013)
Kyriakos Spanoudes (2013)
Katie Keane (2011-2012)
Manos Pahakis (2011-2012)
Andrew English (2010-2011)
Ricardo Sa (2008-2009)
Ilayda Ozkan, Izmir Institute of Technology, Turkey (2024)
Prof Hwa Yong Lee, Kangwon National University, South Korea (2024)
Prof In Sun Hong, Gachon University, South Korea (2023-2024)
Dr Ana Isabel Silva Goncalves, Minho University, Portugal (2022)
Mehmet Gürdal, Ege University, Turkey (2018-2020)
Rory Gibney, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium (2018-2019)
Arely Leon, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mexico (2018-2019)
Alberta Terzi, Instituto di Cristallografia, Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, Italy (2018)
Prof Matilde Alonso Rodrigo, University of Valladolid, Spain (2018)
Prof Athina Tzora, Technological Education Institute of Apirus, Greece (2016-2017)
Arturo Ibanez Fonseca, University of Valladolid, Spain (2016)
Niamh O'Halloran, National University of Ireland Galway, Ireland (2015-2016)
Prof Gabriel Aguirre Alvarez, Universidad Autónoma del Estado de Hidalgo, Mexico (2015)
Gandhi Solayar, University Hospital Galway, Ireland (2014)
Mike Bentley, NW TexNet, UK (2014)
Dr Mohammad Sanami, University of Bolton, UK (2013-2014)
Steve Kay, NW TexNet, UK (2013-2014)
Cormac W Joyce, University Hospital Galway, Ireland (2013)
Dr India Sweeney, University of Bolton, UK (2012-2014)
Zvi Shtein, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (2012-2013)
Dr Colm O'Dowd, Vornia Biomaterials, Ireland (2012-2013)
Dr Sigal Meirovitch, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel (2011-2012)
Tom O'Connor, Vornia Biomaterials, Ireland (2011)
Dr Oonagh Dwane (2011-2022)
Ribeiro, S., Watigny, A., Bayon, Y., Biggs, M., Zeugolis, D.I. It takes two to tango: Controlling human mesenchymal stromal cell response via substrate stiffness and surface topography. Advanced NanoBioMed Research, Available Online
Pugliese, E., Rossoni, A., Zeugolis, D.I. Enthesis repair – State of play. Biomaterials Advances, Available Online
Garnica-Galvez, S., Skoufos, I., Tzora, A., Diakakis, N., Prassinos, N., Zeugolis, D.I. Macromolecular crowding in equine bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell cultures using single and double hyaluronic acid macromolecules. Acta Biomaterialia, Vol. 170, pp. 111-123 (2023)
Ersanli, C., Voidarou, C.C., Tzora, A., Fotou, K., Zeugolis, D.I., Skoufos, I. Electrospun scaffolds as antimicrobial herbal extract delivery vehicles for wound healing. Journal of Functional Biomaterials, Vol. 14, No. 9, pp. 481 (2023)
Ersanli, C., Tzora, A., Voidarou, C.C., Skoufos, S., Zeugolis, D.I., Skoufos, I. Biodiversity of skin microbiota as an important biomarker for wound healing. Biology (Basel), Vol. 12, No. 9, pp. 1187 (2023)
Du, S., Elliman, S.J., Zeugolis, D.I., O'Brien, T. Carrageenan as a macromolecular crowding agent in human umbilical cord derived mesenchymal stromal cell culture. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, Vol. 251, pp 126353 (2023)
Ribeiro, S., Pugliese, E., Korntner, S.H., Fernandes, E.M., Gomes, M.E., Reis, R.L., O'Riordan, A., Kearns, S., Kelly, J.L., Biggs, M., Bayon, Y., Zeugolis, D.I. Grooved poly(lactide-co-trimethylene carbonate) substrates in tenogenic media maintain human tendon derived cell phenotype in culture – A preliminary report. Biomedical Engineering Advances, Vol. 6, pp. 100098 (2023)
Korntner, S.H., Di Nubila, A., Gaspar, D., Zeugolis, D.I. Macromolecular crowding in animal component-free, xeno-free and foetal bovine serum media for human bone marrow mesenchymal stromal cell expansion and differentiation. Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology, Vol. 11, pp. 1136827 (2023)
Ryan, C.N.M., Pugliese, E., Shologu, N., Gaspar, D., Rooney, P., Islam, M.N., O'Riordan, A., Biggs, M.J., Griffin, M.D., Zeugolis, D.I. Physicochemical cues are not potent regulators of human dermal fibroblast trans-differentiation. Biomaterials and Biosystems, Vol. 11, pp. 100079 (2023)
Pugliese, E., Sallent, I., Ribeiro, S., Trotier, A., Korntner, S.H., Bayon, Y., Zeugolis, D.I. Development of three-layer collagen scaffolds to spatially direct tissue-specific cell differentiation for enthesis repair. Materials Today Bio, Vol. 19, pp. 100584 (2023)
Graceffa, V., Wu, Z., Gaspar, D., Spanoudes, K., Isa, I.L.M., Biggs, M., Mullen, A.M., Pandit, A., Zeugolis, D.I. Xenogenic tissues and biomaterials for the skeletal system. In Comprehensive biomaterials, Edition II, Vol. 2, pp. 471-504 (2017). Elsevier Science. Editors: Ducheyne, P., Grainger, D.W., Healy, K.E., Hutmacher, D.W., Kirkpatrick, C.J.
Zeng, Q., Macri, L.K., Prasad, A., Clark, R.A.F., Zeugolis, D.I., Hanley, C., Garcia, Y., Pandit, A., Leavesley, D.I., Stupar, D., Fernandez, M.L., Fan, C., Upton, Z. Skin tissue engineering. In Comprehensive biomaterials, Edition II, Vol. 6, pp. 334-382 (2017). Elsevier Science. Editors: Ducheyne, P., Grainger, D.W., Healy, K.E., Hutmacher, D.W., Kirkpatrick, C.J.
Lomas, A., English, A., Biggs, M., Pandit, A., Zeugolis, D.I. Engineering anisotropic 2D and 3D structures for tendon repair and regeneration. In Tendon regeneration: Understanding tissue physiology and development to engineer functional substitutes, pp. 225-242 (2015). Elsevier Science. Editors: Reis, R.L., Gomes, M.E., Rodrigues, M.T.
Zeugolis, D.I., Keeney, M., Collin, E., Fontana, G., Pandit, A. Xenogenic tissues and biomaterials for the skeletal system. In Comprehensive biomaterials, Vol. 2, pp. 387-404 (2011). Elsevier Science. Editors: Ducheyne, P., Healy, K.E., Hutmacher, D.W., Grainger, D.W., Kirkpatrick, C.J.
Zeugolis, D.I., Raghunath, M. Collagen – Materials analysis and implant uses. In Comprehensive biomaterials, pp. 261-278 (2011). Elsevier Science. Editors: Ducheyne, P., Healy, K.E., Hutmacher, D.W., Grainger, D.W., Kirkpatrick, C.J.
Zeng, Q., Macri, L.K., Prasad, A., Clark, R.A.F., Zeugolis, D.I., Hanley, C., Garcia, Y., Pandit, A., Skin tissue engineering. In Comprehensive biomaterials, pp. 467-499 (2011). Elsevier Science. Editors: Ducheyne, P., Healy, K.E., Hutmacher, D.W., Grainger, D.W., Kirkpatrick, C.J.
Accelerated development of functional three-dimensional tissue moduli. Zeugolis, D.I., Spanoudes, K., Korntner, S., Guillaumin, S., De Lucia, E., Rochev, Y., De Pieri, A., Rana, S., Gurdal, M. Publication Number: WO2023281124, Publication Date: 12/01/2023, Application Number: PCT/EP2022/069359
Identifying optimal topography to control cellular function and neotissue formation. Zeugolis, D.I., English, A., Azeem, A. Publication Number: WO2012168466 A1, Publication Date: 13/12/2012, Application Number: PCT/EP2012/060946
REMODEL operates at the leading edge of research and development, with an ethos and structure that promotes entrepreneurship and the development of innovative products and services for international markets. To this end, institutional infrastructure supports the establishment of new entities for the creation of new jobs, new intellectually property and entry to new markets.
REMODEL aspires to equip tomorrow’s leaders with knowledge, wisdom, imagination, ethical values and the necessary transferable skills to enable them to make the world a better place. To this end, we provide our researchers with a world-class interdisciplinary and intersectoral value and research-based continuous education experience.
At REMODEL, we strongly believe in the value of experiential learning and learning through discovery and exploration. Experiential learning encompasses teaching and learning, clarifies values, provides focused reflection and imparts good judgement, critical thinking, decision-making and collaborative spirit. The REMODEL pedagogic journey is centred on our researchers fostering acquisition of a complete range of new skills and knowledge.
Given the multidisciplinary and intersectoral nature of work, REMODEL not only provides training in the fundamentals of engineering, sciences and medicine, but also fosters entrepreneurship at the highest level. By doing so, we ensure that new technologies, tools and discoveries of societal benefit reach the marketplace. Indeed, we provide our people with the requisite knowledge, stamina and acumen to drive new concepts through successive technology readiness levels successfully for eventual commercialisation and market placement.
REMODEL applies community engagement and service learning as a pedagogical tool to encourage learning, to explore societal issues inside and outside of academic borders and to instil a sense of self-directed social responsibility, civic awareness and citizenship. This teaching and learning strategy integrates meaningful community service, experiential learning and reflection, enriching the learning experience, enhancing civic responsibility and ultimately strengthening communities. Communication (among peers and with the general public), cooperation, leadership, responsibility, integrity, problem analysis, problem solving, critical thinking and cognitive development skills are maximised, whilst real-world problems are solved, achieving educational, scientific and socioeconomic impacts.
University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
Molecular Medicine Ireland, Dublin, Ireland
Atlantic University Alliance, Galway, Ireland
Technological Education Institute of Epirus, Arta, Greece
National University of Singapore, Singapore
University of Lincoln, Lincoln, UK
We organise placement and work-experience programmes with various local schools to enthuse students about biomedical engineering science. On the programme primary and secondary school students have the opportunity to extract biomolecules from various shark species, to see a beating cardiomyocyte, to fabricate a nano-devise, to improve their suturing skills and much more.
REMODEL has a dedicated team to help outstanding, enthusiastic, self-motivated and passionate researchers submit proposals to various funding agencies for PhD studies, Postdoctoral training and Pre-faculty awards:
European Commission, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, Individual Fellowships
