Biomaterials Research Professor Peter Marquis,
Dr Owen Addison,
Dr Mike Hofmann,
Dr Will Palin,
Dr Rachel Sammons,
Dr Dick Shelton,
Dr Adrian Shortall,
| Dental Materials Development The setting reactions of photoactive resins and resin-based composites using innovative techniques to analyse the change in optical properties (Palin, Shortall), curing light characteristics (Palin, Shortall), mechanical response of nanoparticulate resin composites (Palin, Addison, Shortall, Marquis) and resin-modified ‘sandwich’ restorations (Addison, Palin) are extensively studied in order to aid understanding and underpin future dental material development. 
|
|
Cement Development The development and characterisation of high strength bioresorbable calcium phosphate bone cements (Hofmann) and functionalisation as drug release carriers involves national and international collaborations, whilst other orthopaedic related research in collaboration with Orthos Ltd looks at the development of durable, injectable cements for minimally invasive surgery (Hofmann, Shelton). Cement based endodontic sealing materials are also being developed and improved (Hofmann, Shelton, Coomaraswamy, Lumley) which has substantial clinical and commercial potential |
|
Bacterial Biomineralisation The setting reactions of photoactive resins and resin-based composites using innovative techniques to analyse the change in optical properties (Palin, Shortall), curing light characteristics (Palin, Shortall), mechanical response of nanoparticulate resin composites (Palin, Addison, Shortall, Marquis) and resin-modified ‘sandwich’ restorations (Addison, Palin) are extensively studied in order to aid understanding and underpin future dental material development. Cell responses: bone regeneration and tissue engineering Identification and optimisation of osteoblast responses to the microstructure and nanostructure of titanium tooth root implants (Sammons) and different defined substrates (Shelton) and bone substitutes remains a focus. In an international collaboration we are investigating the effects of altering the proton density on nanophase HA surfaces to further enhance bone formation and reduce resorption (Sammons) and also how hydroxyapatite-based bone substitute graft materials are resorbed in the body (Sammons). Development of cements has been complemented by research on the interactions between differently prepared calcium phosphates and cells (inflammatory cells and bone marrow stromal cells) encountered within the tissue environment and when used as microscaffolds to support osteoblasts (Shelton, Cooper) to approach the translation of such materials into the clinical setting. Strategies for promoting osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells using different materials/processing eg octacalcium phosphates are also being investigated. The development of hydrogel tissue engineering approaches in conjunction with rapid prototyping technologies for the next generation of bone replacement materials (Shelton) offers exciting possibilities for 3D-spatial control of cell position and possibly synthetic capability in scaffold constructs.. Transfer membranes and tissue engineered approaches for delivery of oral mucosa are being investigated (Landini, Cooper, Shelton) whilst also developing models of oral mucosal disease. Biofilms and cross-infection In collaboration with colleagues in the School of Dentistry we are investigating whether staphylococci in cervical fluid or on toothbrushes could be a source of systemic infection, especially in patients with periodontal disease (Sammons) and also the efficiency of sterilisation and cleaning procedures for dental curettes in the School. Join the Research Teams at Birmingham We are happy to consider EU and international scientists wishing to join our research force at the School of Dentistry through the of Marie Curie EIF or IIF programmes (funded for up to two years). Please contact us to discuss the possibilities available. |
|
The School of Dentistry
|Privacy|Accessibility|University contacts
