Dental Institute

Aetiology (gastric and dietary) measurement and prevention of tooth wear.

020 7188 5390

020 7188 1792

Composites for hard and soft tissue replacement.

Damage evolution in brittle materials; scaffolds for tissue engineering; and catastrophe preparedness

020 7188 1164

During the past decade, I have been working in the field of high resolution microscopy and spectroscopy and its potential application in bio-imaging and medical diagnosis. My current research interests span from the characterisation of the near field effect of gold/silver nanoparticles on fluorescence emission, to the development of novel non-invasive optical tools for disease diagnosis. My current areas of research are: Mapping abnormal protein interactions in breast tissue carcinoma using Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Microscopy (FLIM) and Forster Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET): We label relevant protein pairs with fluorescent molecules of different colours using highly specific antibodies. The level of their interaction is mapped across the tumour by monitoring the degree of energy transfer between the two fluorophores. We developed an automated platform which allows us to characterise a high number of patients with different tumour types for potential cross correlation with clinical data. Cancer diagnosis using Raman Spectroscopy: We are developing an automated instrument which can record chemical maps of tissue sections in tissue micro arrays (TMA). New analytical algorithms are being derived using principal component analysis (PCA) in order to build a simple and reliable model for cancer diagnosis. Chemical profile for individual patients will be cross-correlated with their clinical data in order to understand the chemical difference between cancers of different grades. High throughput optical proteomic: As part of a large King's based consortium, we are developing both high-throughput and high-content platforms which will unable us to map the genome-wide protein interaction space (proteome) of human cells. Proteins are tagged using the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and the red fluorescent protein (RFP) using virus infection. This ambitious project requires the development of novel fast detection electronics for accurate time correlated single photon counting (TCSPC) in order to resolve FRET from thousands of different adjacent protein pairs. Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) and plasmon enhanced fluorescence imaging: High-throughput fluorescence imaging systems are limited by the rate of emission of current fluorescence molecules, limiting the pace of research in bio-imaging. By using the unique properties of gold and silver nanoparticle, we are engineering substrates which exhibit fluorescence and Raman signal enhancement. We are also modelling the interaction between ordered arrays of such nanoparticles with fluorescence molecules in close proximity to understand to which extent the fluorescence lifetime and the radiative and non-radiative rate of local fluorophores are modified. Apertureless scanning near-field optical microscopy (a-SNOM): The field enhancement at the apex of a sharp gold/silver tip can be used to dramatically increase the lateral and vertical resolution of optical microscopy. We have built such instrument and are now characterising the gain in resolution and signal from small clusters of quantum dots.

020 7188 5388

020 7188 1823

Dental Practice & Policy

+44 (0)207 188 4341

Tissue engineering; stem cell approaches for tissue regeneration; biocompatibility of materials.

020 7188 1819

02071881823

Anaerobic adhesives; analysis of failure; statistical analysis of complex linked datasets.

020 7188 1822

020 7188 1823

Biomaterials; dental implants; quality of life, Rehabilitation of head and neck cancer patients.

020 7188 7478

02071887486

Toothwear (gastrointestinal reflux disease); clinical trials.

Oral diagnostics and biomaterials research, developing in-vivo imaging including confocal optics.

Adhesives research and cements for crown and bridge applications.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7188 1856

Restorative Dentistry

Diagnosis of caries and toothwear; operative dentistry; adhesive materials interfaces; confocal microscopy.

Applying spectrophotometry in colour technology to determine skin shades for various populations.

020 3299 3584

0203 299 3775

Cariology - minimal intervention / minimally invasive dentistry - pathology and microbiology of dental caries, microscopy of dental tissues, caries detection and diagnosis, minimally invasive operative caries management techniques (including chemo-mechanical / air-abrasion research), dental adhesives and bonding to tooth structure R&D, clinical trials (including head and neck oncology / oral rehab trials). Research links with 3MESPE, Dentsply, Kuraray, Septodont.

Research in dental education - Haptel programme at KCLDI.  

0207 188 1577

Cariology & Endodontics
Clinical Theme

020 7188 1584

Patterning of the branchial arches and development of the head.

My research group is interested in understanding the cellular and molecular basis of bone and cartilage development, during embryonic development as well as in adult bone/cartilage remodelling disorders and skeletal neoplasia. Current experiments are focussing on the role of the c-Fos proto-oncogene/AP-1 transcription factor and Rho GTPase signalling in the differentiation, growth control and transformation of osteoblasts, osteoclasts and chondrocytes. Specific aspects include the analysis of cell cycle control, the role of BMPs and FGFs in osteo/chondrogenesis, and bacterial protein toxins as tools to perturb specific signalling pathways in osteoblasts and osteoclasts. Molecular and cellular approaches, including generating functional bone cell populations from embryonic stem cells, are combined with functional gain- and loss-of function studies using transgenic/knock-out animal technology, which will help elucidate the molecular basis of bone/cartilage disorders and skeletal cancers.

Tel: +44 (0)20 7188 1807

020 7188 1804

Research in my group focuses on the development of the cranial sensory nervous system, in partiuclar the ear, eye and nasal epithelium. During embryogenesis important parts of the sense organs derive from similar structures called sensory placodes. We are studying the cellular and molecular mechanisms that control the induction of different placodes from naive ectoderm and cell fate specification within the placodes.

Small RNA in facial and tooth development.

Dlx genes: regulation and roles in the development of the first branchial arch.

Craniofacial Development & Orthodontics

020 7188 7388

In-depth study of mouse gene targeting methodologies and embryonic developmental abnormalities.

02078486148

Osteoblast biology and intracellular signalling efficacy of contemporary orthodontic care.

020 7188 4415

020 7188 4415

Signalling pathways regulating salivary gland formation in embryonic development.

020 7188 1799

020 7188 1674

Molecular signals controlling cell polarity and spatial organisation in embryonic development. Specifically, the interaction of morphogen signals, especially the Wnt pathway, with polarity proteins such as PAR-1, atypical protein kinase C (aPKC) and PAR-4 (Lkb1) in the development of the early nervous system and body axis. Xenopus (frog) embryos are used because of their large size and accessibility.

020 7188 1795

020 7188 1674

In any intricate developmental process, the encoded genes are interpreted as myriad intercellular and intracellular interactions, all of which must occur at the right time and place. With this in mind, we are developing new methods to block or alter the activities of individual proteins in a drug-dependent manner. Our goal is to expand the repertoire of molecular tools available to developmental biologists. The biological problem that we are interested in is the development of the neural crest and its derivatives, including the craniofacial skeleton. At present, we are developing chemical tools to study the roles of GSK-3 and Wnt signaling in the neural crest. We are using two model systems, the frog Xenopus laevis and the mouse. Xenopus embryos are abundant and live in an aquatic environment, allowing easy manipulation and drug accessibility; thus, we are using Xenopus to study early patterning and to rapidly test new tools. We then adapt these tools to mammalian systems. In the mouse, we are currently studying the development of the bony skull, using conventional and drug-dependent alleles of GSK-3β.

020 7188 8035

020 7188 1674

Growth factors in human dental pulp.

Molecular mechanisms underlying early craniofacial development.

Craniogenesis - the development and evolution of the vertebrate skull.

Dental and dermal skeletal diversity in early vertebrate fossils with a focus on the evolution of dentitions and their pattern of change within phylogenies to suggest a developmental model for patterning the dentition. Research spanning two separate fields of study, developmental biology and palaeontology in the evolution and diversification of vertebrate skeletal tissues. The significance of oral denticles to the evolution of teeth, proposed to change the classic ideas and suggest that pharyngeal denticles are the source of patterning for teeth on the jaws and these rather than skin teeth are co-opted for the jaws. Search for marker genes for tooth induction, in patterning the dentition in basal vertebrates and the probable role of the dental lamina in this process.

020 7848 6807:

020 7848 6798

Molecular control of tooth development/tissue engineering, dental stem cells

Growth factor signalling during development and disease.

Immune responses to heat shock proteins in oral and systemic disease.

Education
Clinical Outcomes & Environment Theme

020 7188 1835

Elastomeric impression materials; glass ionomers; resin bonded restorations; ceramic inlays; adhesive dentistry; dental education.

Radiation protection and education in dental radiology.

Education and the development of professional expertise.

020 7188 1603

Information technology in education; haptics for teaching dentistry;attitudes to new technologies; researching IT in education; institutionalising e-learning in dental education; the uptake and use of technology media in education.

020 7188 1307

020 7848 3182

Education
Clinical Outcomes & Environment Theme

020 3299 3584

Clinical trials involving restorative dental materials, in particular ceramics; education research.

ICT in education research; flexible learning including e-learning and blended learning. International Virtual Dental School (IVIDENT).

020 7848 1517

020 7848 1366

Child oral health; dental public policy; oral health inequalities.

Clinical trials, educational research.

Properties of materials used in prosthodontics both in ther handling in the dental laboratory and in the clinic. Biofilm growth on prosthetic materials is critical to the devolpment of dental disease. Little is understood as to the initial colonisation of these materials in vivo.

020 3299 3022

Health services research with a particular interest in the following areas: the expectations, skillmix and career progression of the dental workforce; and modernising the organisation and delivery of dental services.

020 3299 3481 (admin)

Dentistry; oral health; endodontics; endodontology; microbiology; biofilm; disinfection; root canal therapy; pulp biology; dentine; NiTi; infection

Endodontology and restorative techniques; tooth restoration interfaces dental tissues and restorative materials.

Cariology & Endodontics

Bacterial toxins that interfere with cellular signalling, in particular the Pasteurella multocida toxin; cellular microbiology; bacteria and cancer; G-protein regulation.

020 7188 1757

Microbiology of dental caries; microbial survival in the oral biofilm; microbial diversity; sntimicrobial properties of dental materials; taxonomy of oral streptococci.

020 7188 7465

Diversity of bacterial life on earth; bacterial systematics, molecular analysis of complex bacterial communities, role of unculturable bacteria in human disease; development and evaluation of new antimicrobials; molecular epidemiology of antimicrobial resistance.

020 7188 3872

Mucosal infections: pathogenesis and prevention.

020 7188 4379; 020 7188 3072

Immunobullous disorders and lichen planus.

My laboratory has extensive experience in investigating the role of Candida albicans virulence genes in causing human mucosal infections, the molecular analysis of host/pathogen interactions and mucosal immunity. We utilise a number of molecular, immunological, functional genomic and proteomic techniques in our studies. Our work has made several major scientific, conceptual and technical advancements to both the fungal and mucosal immunity fields. We have developed protocols to detect C.albicans gene expression in vivo in humans and pioneered in vivo transcript profiling of clinical samples to identify novel C.albicans genes associated with epithelial infections. We also identified a novel neutrophil-dependent, TLR4-mediated protective mechanism against oral C.albicans infection. Recently, we have discovered an epithelial signalling mechanism that discriminates between the yeast and hyphal form of C.albicans, which has major implications to our understanding of how mucosal tissues recognise commensal and pathogenic C.albicans. The ultimate goals are to understand the disease process and to translate research discoveries into clinical practice.

020 7188 4377

020 7188 4375

Tuberculosis (TB) is a pressing global health problem. As current chemotherapy and vaccination have not been fully successful, there is a need to explore new approaches to control the disease. Our experimental research involves 1. Generation of novel TB/antigen-specific ligands and their conjugates using genetic methodologies. 2. Evaluation of these agents in combination with cytokine modulation for protection against TB, using tissue culture of human cells and experimental infection models in mice. Recommended reading: Reljic R, and Ivanyi J, - A case for passive immunoprophylaxis against tuberculosis. Lancet Infectious Diseases, 6: (Dec.) 813-818, 2006.

020 7188 4383

020 7188 4375

Salivary gland and oral mucosal disease.

HIV; mucosal immunity; heat shock proteins; peptides; Behcet's disease; vaccines; chemokine receptors.

Prediction of development of oral cancer by molecular and histopathological methods, translational cancer research in treatment, imaging, reconstructive surgery.

Research experience and the international standing on the subjects : - Screening for Oral Cancer and Precancer - Epidemiological investigations outlining trends in oral cancer incidence in global populations - Pathogenesis of Oral Submucous Fibrosis related to areca nut chewing - Natural history of oral precancer and cancer - Developing clinical and laboratory tests to identify at risk subjects to assist in the early detection - Interventions on risk factors (tobacco cessation) and chemoprevention - Improving public awareness to prevent mouth cancer and improving cancer journey by reducing delay in diagnosis.

020 7848 6703 (Registry Officer)

Control of apoptosis.

Diagnosis, profiling and care of oral carcinoma and dysplasia; sialolithiasis.

Oral and head and neck cancer research; novel treatments for residual cancer.

Cytokeratin gene expression, especially in relation to oral malignancy and premalignancy; gene profiling of odontogenic cysts and tumours (collaborative).

020 7188 4386

020 7188 4375



0207 188 8729

Orofacial pain, trigeminal nerve injury, oral surgery. Peripheral pain receptor expression in orofacial mucosa, trigeminal nerve, dental pulp. Central trigeminal pain pathways assessed using fMRI.

020 7346 3585

020 7346 3826

The biology of periodontal regeneration, including understanding the linage and differentiation of cells of the periodontium, the factors that may positively and negatively regulate bone formation and translating tissue engineering principles including periodontal stem cells, bioactive regulators and scaffold materials for novel periodontal therapies;

Risk and prognostic factors and biomarkers for periodontal disease. We are interested in the wide range of environmental, genetic and humoral risk and prognostic factors that may interact to determine susceptibility to periodontitis and how these factors may act. We have become particularly interested in applying proteomic technologies to identify and test for salivary diagnostics which may be useful in the clinic, and ultimately aspire to applying this knowledge for the development of new periodontal treatments.

+44 (0)20 7188 4945

+44(0) 20 7188 4188

Restorative Dentistry

Effects of periodontitis on systemic health and inflammation; genetics of periodontitis; peri-implant disease; dentine sensitivity.

Bioactive agents and tissue repair, therapeutic markers in periodontal and allied diseases. This area of investigation is relevant to the management of chronic inflammatory periodontal disease complicated by uncontrolled systemic diseases such as Diabetes mellitus and arthritis. a. Investigation of markers of wound healing in an osteblastic cell culture model simulating an environment of oxidative stress, in order to identify therapeutic strategies. An oxidative environment is induced by using a range of oxidative agents such as glucose oxidised low density lipoprotein, advanced glycaemic end products, C-reactive protein, tumour necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and bacterial lipopolysaccharide. The effects of antioxidants such as glutathione, pycnogenol, co-enzyme Q10, phytoestrogens and minocycline in overcoming oxidative stress are evaluated in this cell culture model. Extrapolation of these findings to the 'in vivo' environment has implications on therapeutic strategies for the periodontal patient. b. Application of osteoconductive and osteogenic bioactive agents in bone defects of periodontal patients and adjunctive anti-oxidant therapy to enhance healing responses.

020 7346 3057

Periodontal disease and osseointegrated dental implants.

Laboratory and clinical research study methods, statistical analysis.

Microbiology and immunology in periodontal disease.

Salivary glands and saliva in health and disease.

Human and rat salivary protein (especially iGA) secretion in health and disease.

Our research interests relate to the delivery of care to special needs groups. We are researching patients' wants, expectations of, and barriers to dental care. Subsequently, we want to develop and research clinical pathways in special care dentistry to promote access to care and develop a set of appropriate clinical and patient focused outcomes.

We are also interested in the outcomes and evaluation of oral health promotion. In particular, how understanding behaviour change and the social and cultural context might be used to inform the design and implementation of oral health promotion.

The questions we want to answer are:

What do patients with special needs want from a dental service, including their key concerns and expectations of dental care?
What is the experience of dental care received and the best way to support autonomy and capacity to consent?
What are important clinical and patient based outcomes for people with special needs?
How can the care for people with special needs be integrated across health and social care?
What are people’s key oral health concerns, motivations and intentions around oral health?
What factors predict behaviour change?
Are interventions underpinned by health behaviour models efficacious?

Health psychology: CBT for the treatment of dental anxiety, adherence, empowerment in health-care settings, patient-health care professional communication, patients' and health care professionals understanding of risk, cognitive functioning in and self-management of type 2 diabetes and chronic illness in general, psychology as applied to dentistry.

020 3299 3272

Head of the Paediatric Dentistry department, she was among the few dentists in the United Kingdom with training in administering general anaesthesia. Professor Hosey has an interest in the effects of liver disease and transplantation on the oral tissues. She moved to King's College London in 2008. She is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and physicians of Glasgow and an examiner for the Intercollegiate Fellowship Specialty Examination in Paediatric Dentistry. She wrote the RCS (Eng) clinical guideline on dental paediatric conscious sedation, and is a past council member of the Association of Dental Anesthetists and the Dental Sedation Teachers Group. She has co-authored three dental textbooks and one medical textbook and is editor of four. She has an interest in 3D imaging, particularly in relation to infants with cleft lip and palate, but now devotes her research to the management of anxious children.

Biostatistics in dentistry; planning and evaluation of sequential clinical trials; structural equation modelling; longitudinal studies; missing data; multilevel modelling; propensity modelling; quality of life, health outcomes; bias correction in complex-interventions; samples and surveys.

(020) 71888091 (020) 32992746 mobile:07400077797

Ageing and oral health; chronic illness and disability theory.

Processes of symptom perception and symptom appraisal; help-seeking behaviour, especially patient delay for cancer symptoms; palliative care in head and neck cancer; stress and the immune system and wound healing; application of psychology to medicine and dentistry.

My research areas of interest include the following:
- Oral Health Related Quality of Life, particularly amongst minority ethnic groups in the United Kingdom
- The working lives of dental practitioners and professionals complementary to dentistry, including working patterns and quality of working life
- Cognitive Behavioural therapy for dental anxiety
- Patient based evaluation of treatment
- Eating disorders
- The psychometric assessment of individuals with mental retardation.

020 3299 3481

020 3299 3409