含羞草传媒

Research interests

My long-standing research interests have been focused on the role and regulation of epithelial secretory proteins. This work has principally involved the study of the airway epithelium, through the use of 3D in vitro model systems, but more recently has expanded to include the oral and nasal mucosa and the epithelium of the middle ear. My specific interests have focused on the fields of innate immunity, host defence and tumour biology.

I have also recently started to investigate the potential of using my tissue culture expertise to develop in vitro models of human salivary glands from fresh human tissue. We are now routinely isolating cells from human sublingual glands and are currently characterising cell phenotype under different culture conditions. The mid-term aim is to use these models to begin to elucidate the initial stages of salivary gland diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and salivary gland tumours.

Research interests

Our research aim is to use and further develop neurobiological and neuropharmacological approaches (including MRI imaging, in vivo, neurochemistry, molecular and electrophysiology) to study altered neuronal excitability and activity in the central nervous system in in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of chronic pain conditions. We particularly focus on neurological conditions such as stroke and migraine to identify the molecular changes that ultimately contribute to the development of chronic pain in these conditions. 

Research interests

Research interests include sociology and public health, giving patients' voices in their care and exploring the relationship between consumption and health. My current work explores the impact of tooth loss on oral health related quality of life and wellbeing. This work links with my growing interest in the intersections between sociology, public health  and consumption. I have students examining the social organisation of ill health drawing on a range of social theories including social practice theory, critical discourse analysis, ethnography and grounded theory.

In relation to oral health and dentistry I continue to develop my interest in the sociology of oral health and healthcare by examining the embodied experience of dental care. This involves a sustained analysis of the work of dentists and patients in maintaining oral health using ethnography (digital and observational) and qualitative research methods.

Research interests

Bacterial infections cause a diverse range of disease ranging from superficial skin infections to periodontitis to severe infections such as sepsis and meningitis. This coupled with rising antimicrobial resistance have led to increasing burdens of infection and are therefore a significant health concern worldwide. Bacterial adhesion to host cells is essential for both colonisation and infection. New therapies to prevent adhesion could significantly decrease disease and reduce the burden of antibiotic usage.

We have identified a superfamily of proteins on host cells which appear to control bacterial adherence to epithelial cells. These proteins, the tetraspanins, do not act as receptors but organise and cluster hijacked host proteins into 'adhesion platforms' to allow efficient adherence and entry of bacteria to cells. Blockade of these proteins leads to a significant reduction in bacterial adherence of many Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Using a variety of techniques we have identified members of these adhesion platforms and new ways to inhibit their function during infection. Furthermore, we investigate changes to the composition of both bacterial membrane proteins and host adhesion platforms during tetraspanin-mediated infection utilising a number of bacteria as models.

We are also interested in the importance of the bacterial microbiome in humans and how dysbiosis of this flora can affect various diseases ranging from skin afflictions to cancer. We currently run a number of studies which utilise Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencers to delineate the microbiome.

Research interests

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the 8^th most common cancer in the UK. There are approximately 12,400 new HNC cases diagnosed in the UK each year and over 4,000 HNC-related deaths annually (Cancer Research UK). The Hunt Lab focuses on the role of extracellular vesicles (and other extracellular particles) in HNC. We research the mechanisms regulating their production (biogenesis) and how they mediate intercellular communication within the tumour microenvironment. We also explore how they could be exploited as a source of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and as novel therapeutic targets for head and neck cancer. Working in a clinical department, we have access to ex vivo patient samples and a wide range of HNC cell lines for in vitro studies.

Research interests

Molecular mechanisms underlying head and neck cancer progression

Head and neck cancer (HNSCC) ranks among the top ten most common cancers worldwide and is increasingly prevalent, particularly in younger age groups. The survival rate for this devastating disease is poor, largely due to late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic agents. We are pursuing a number of research avenues which aim to identify diagnostic markers and prognostic indicators and to elucidate novel therapeutic targets to halt disease progression:

The role of microRNA in HNSCC
MicroRNA are small, non-coding, RNA which regulate the expression of target genes by binding to complementary sequences in their transcripts. Changes in the levels of a number of microRNA have been detected in a variety of cancers, including HNSCC. We are currently carrying out a number of projects studying the involvement of microRNA in the motility of HNSCC, with particular interest centring on their roles in modulating cell:extracellular matrix interactions and signalling pathway activity. In addition we are assessing the possibility of using specific microRNA as prognostic indicators in HNSCC progression. These studies complement work investigating microRNA involvement in prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease being carried out in collaboration with Prof Anthony J Turner at the University of Leeds.

The influence of microenvironment on tumour progression
It is becoming increasingly apparent that cancer cell behaviour is dictated, at least to some extent, by the surrounding microenvironment. HNSCC cells are surrounded in vivo by a stromal milieu, composed of fibroblasts, endothelial cell and immune cells. We are currently studying the mechanisms by which the cancer-associated stroma influences HNSCC progression.

Host-microbe interactions in periodontal disease

Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory disease leading to tooth loss, affects over 300 million people worldwide and is a significant healthcare burden particularly in the older population. Although not a classical infectious disease, the role of bacteria in causing periodontitis is unequivocal with several bacterial species such as Porphyromonas gingivalis and Tannerella forsythia being implicated as causative agents. The virulence of periodontal pathogens is attributed not only to bacterial factors that directly damage tissue but also to their ability to dysregulate the host immune response. We are currently investigating the ability of periodontal pathogens to modulate the immune response by altering the expression of specific microRNA, which in turn influence the expression of components of the innate immune response.

Research interests

Synthesis and application of nano-particulate materials for dental applications.

The application of nucleating agents for the remineralisation of dentine

Integrity of structurally compromised restored teeth as compound systems

Optimisation of ceramic crown-tooth compound systems

Development and characterisation of novel restorative systems.

Remote digital communication for the provision of health care in dentistry

Development of L&T in restorative dentistry

Clinical evaluation of restorative systems

Research interests

Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) ranks among the top ten most common cancers worldwide. The survival rate for this cancer is poor, largely due to late diagnosis and a lack of effective therapeutic agents.

In collaboration with other members of the Oral Disease Cluster, I am pursuing a number of research avenues which aim to use diagnostic markers for early detection of HNSCC, to elucidate novel therapeutic targets to halt disease progression, to understand how tumour cells interact with the endothelium during metastasis and to study the interaction between stromal cells (fibroblasts, leukocytes) and tumour cells in the tumour microenvironment.

Host-microbial interactions

The mucosa of the oral cavity is constantly in contact with many different types of micro-organisms. Some of these are commensal organisms whilst others cause disease.

I am interested in how the fungal organism Candida albicans and the Gram-negative bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis interact with the oral mucosa and the molecular mechanisms of the host innate immune system against these pathogens.

Research interests

Dr Thomas Paterson is a Lecturer in the School of Clinical Dentistry at the University of 含羞草传媒, where he combines his expertise in materials science with the field of bioelectronics to drive innovations in healthcare. His research primarily develops implantable and wearable bioelectronic devices that improve diagnostics and treatments across various medical applications. These devices span a wide array of applications, from epilepsy treatment and soft electrode manufacturing to wound healing and dental health monitoring, aiming to address complex healthcare challenges through technology.

Throughout his career, Dr Paterson has developed a particular interest in additive manufacturing, hydrogel engineering, biosignal recording and antimicrobial materials. These interests have translated into several ongoing projects, including developing conductive and elastic materials for wearable diagnostics, conductive electrospun sensors for jaw movement tracking, and exploring cellular mechanisms underpinning wound healing under variable pressure conditions.

Research interests

My earliest work was in the field of neuroscience, where I used the human tooth pulp as a model to gain greater understanding into mechanisms of inflammatory pain. However, I then moved from basic science research to more social science research. I have focussed on the patient experience with particular emphasis on the impact of dental conditions, such as
traumatic dental injuries or enamel defects on children's oral health-related quality of life. I am also very involved in research to reduce children's dental anxiety through a guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy approach. I work in a fantastic multi-disciplinary research team which aims to improve the oral health and treatment experiences of children and young people through a combination of clinical and social science research strategies. Our ethos is to engage children themselves in all our research and service development activities. To date, I have supervised 10 PhDs, 2 MPhils and 11 Masters to completion which have mostly had a child-centred theme.

My current research programme is driven by Health and Social policy which have highlighted the need to be more inclusive of children in decisions about their healthcare, as well as involving them more actively in health-related research and service development. In line with this, a key research objective is to develop robust patient-centred clinical outcome measures for use in dentistry. These will have important application within the NHS in determining the benefits of various treatment modalities in order to more effectively direct resource allocation.

I work within a unique multi-disciplinary research group at the University of 含羞草传媒, the ‘Person Centered and Population Oral Health’ group, which includes researchers across several clinical specialities and social sciences. The group conducts and implements high quality research in oral health, utilising the theories and empirical traditions of dental public health, sociology and psychology and a range of methodologies.

Research interests

My Group takes a multidisciplinary approach to investigating a range of biological problems ranging from basic biology to prototype translational projects.  There are several areas of research within the group which centres around the study of human pathogens with an overall aim at understanding microbial disease processes and exploiting the knowledge we generate for translational purposes wherever possible.

Bacteriophage biology:

Since 2016 the group have embarked on a programme of bacteriophage studies targeting a range of AMR (AntiMicrobial Resistant) pathogens including several of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococci, Staphylococci, Klebsiella, ESBL etc)  as well as oral bacteria (Streptococci and Enterococci).

In recent years we have focused on isolation and characterisation of bacteriophage targeting pathogens from  a range of hard to treat Diabetic Foot Ulcer infections- which we call the DiaPhage project..  We aim to both understand the biology of these phages and their interactions with their bacterial hosts as well as working with clinical colleagues to develop them into viable novel antimicrobial treatments to cure DFU and other human infections.  We use a combination of genomics, biochemistry, structural biology and antibiotic resistance assays. 

The work is conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the faculty of science as well as clinical colleagues from 含羞草传媒 Teaching Hospitals trust.

Oral microbiology:

Our main focus is aimed at understanding the fundamental biology of bacteria residing in the oral cavity.  These studies have focused in several areas:

-        Biology of periodonatal pathogens: aimed at understanding how these bacteria interact with each other, human cells and within biofilms with a focus on glycobiology and innate immune modulation

-        Functional understanding of the oral microbiome: in collaboration with oral consumer product companies we focus on understanding how the composition and metabolism of the oral microbiome is influenced by nutrients, oral antimicrobial products.  We use a combination of nanopore based microbiome sequencing and metaproteomics (in collaboration with colleagues in the faculty of Engineeering).

The group  employ a variety of genetic and biochemical techniques while in collaboration with colleagues in the faculty of Medicine, faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering to answer key questions within our areas of interest.