Translational Oral Biosciences
We aim to inform clinical research and improve patient management. We seek discovery of new information about biological processes related to oral diseases.
Research areas
Researchers in this group have expertise in biological sciences. They're dedicated to basic and pre-clinical research. They work within the first phase of the translational spectrum.
Lead: Dr Nick Jakubovics
We have a variety of research areas:
Biomaterials
We develop better materials for use in replacing damaged, diseased or missing tissues. We particularly look at the oral and cranio-facial region.
We try to better understand effects of dietary acids on enamel and dentine. We look into the use of toothpastes to re-mineralise eroded enamel and dentine.
Current research involves the development of
- polymers and polymer composites for tissue engineering scaffolds
- new resorbable composites for fracture fixation plates
- smart materials for fissure sealants and direct restorative materials
Principal investigator:
Neurophysiology
Studying the function of our nervous system can help us provide a rational basis for selecting drugs. It may be useful for enhancing neuronal function in patients with:
- neurodegenerative disorders
- inflammatory, post traumatic and neuropathic pain
Our work is focused on:
- neuronal differentiation, maturation and degeneration in acute and chronic pain
- utilising models to explore the pathways of ion channel regulation
Lead:
Oral cancer
Oral cancer is a global healthcare problem. It's associated with high levels of suffering and mortality. We investigate:
- genetic pathways of oral cancer development and progression
- novel biomarkers for early detection of oral cancer
- the development of tools that aid the diagnosis
Principal investigator:
Oral immunology
Oral immunology explores the pathogenesis of periodontal diseases. It identifies potential novel diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
We investigate:
- cell signalling, gene expression and protein secretion pathways involved in inflammation
- salivary protein biomarker profiles in periodontal disease and co-morbidities such as diabetes
- novel sensor technologies for chairside analysis of periodontal disease biomarkers
Principal investigators: and
Oral microbiology
We look at microbial biofilms on teeth, known as dental plaque. These are responsible for the most common oral diseases, dental caries and periodontitis. We investigate novel approaches to control these microbial biofilms.
Our work focuses on:
- gene regulation during microbial cell-cell interactions
- the structure of dental plaque and other microbial biofilms
- physical, chemical and biological approaches for biofilm control
- the role of the biofilm matrix
Principal investigators: and
Oral mucosal inflammatory disorders
Oral mucosal inflammatory disorders can impact the quality of life of affected patients. They include oral lichen planus (OLP).
Our research interests are:
- gene expression in patients with OLP
- interaction between microRNAs and cytokine expression in OLP tissue
- management and novel ways to control OLP
Principal investigator:
Extensive collaborative research
We're affiliated with the Faculty of Medical Sciences Research Institutes. We conduct extensive collaborative research with them.
We collaborate widely with researchers across Newcastle University, nationally and internationally.
We have several joint projects with industry. We work with small to medium enterprises and multi-national oral health care companies. You can read about these in the Partnerships section.