About
Martin Robert Ling is Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry (Periodontology) at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry within the College of Medical and Dental Sciences.
Martin is researching the aetiology and pathogenesis of inflammatory periodontal disease and has been successful in receiving grants from the Oral and Dental Research Trust, British Society of Periodontology and the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
He is enthusiastic in teaching undergraduate dental students and has obtained his Membership of the Higher Education Academy. He is an Honorary Staff Grade Dental Surgeon within South Birmingham Primary Care Trust providing dental services within the Birmingham Dental Hospital.
Qualifications
Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry (Periodontology):
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AHEA, Associate Membership of the Higher Education Academy 2009.
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Part I PGCLTHE with distinction, Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of Birmingham, 2009.
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MFGDP(UK), Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK), Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2007.
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MFDS RCS(Eng), Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery, Royal College of Surgeons of England, 2007.
BDS, Dentistry, University of Birmingham, 2004.
Biography
Martin graduated with BDS Dentistry in 2004 from the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry.
Following graduation Martin completed Vocational Training followed by one year as Associate Dental Surgeon at Robinson Dicker Dental Practice in Erdington, Birmingham. During this time Martin completed the Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of General Dental Practice (UK) from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Martin then joined the staff at Birmingham Dental Hospital in August 2006 as Senior House Officer in Prosthetics, Paediatric Dentistry, Periodontology and Oral Medicine whilst completing his Diploma of Membership of the Faculty of Dental Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
In January 2008 Martin was appointed Clinical Lecturer in Restorative Dentistry (Periodontology) at the University of Birmingham School of Dentistry. Martin is currently undertaking a PhD investigating peripheral blood neutrophil response in periodontal disease, which will examine further the link between gum disease and systemic health. Martin has been successful in obtaining funding from grant applications and has presented his data both nationally and internationally.
Martin teaches undergraduate dental students both clinically and academically. Martin is a Personal Tutor and is involved in all aspects of teaching including lectures, small group teaching, clinical supervision and examination organising and marking. In addition Martin organises large scale teaching activities such as the Plaque Project and Cross Sectional Study which introduces dental students to clinical research. Martin has completed part one of the Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education from the University of Birmingham with distinction and has gained Associate Membership of the Higher Education Academy.
Teaching
Research
RESEARCH THEMES
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Periodontitis, Oral Immunology, Neutrophil Biology, Clinical Trials.
RESEARCH ACTIVITY
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His current research activity is investigating the aetiology and pathogenesis of periodontal disease, focusing mainly on the role of the neutrophil which is considered to be one of the most important white blood cells involved with this prevalent inflammatory condition.
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He is involved in researching both intra- and extracellular reactive oxygen species release from peripheral blood neutrophils. He is also investigating cytokine release from neutrophils following cell culture.
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Another area of his research activity is involved in the detection and quantification of Neutrophil Extracellular Trap (NET) release from neutrophils which is a recently discovered method of neutrophil defence.
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There are documented links between periodontitis and systemic disease. It is hoped that this research will contribute and ultimately result in prevention and/or novel treatment strategies for periodontal disease and associated systemic inflammatory conditions.
Other activities
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Honorary Staff Grade in Periodontology within South Birmingham Primary Care Trust.
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Examiner for the Diploma of Membership of the Joint Dental Facuties (MJDF) of the Royal College of Surgeons of England.
Publications
Grant MM, Creese AJ, Barr G, Ling MR, Scott AE, Matthews JB, Griffiths HR, Cooper HJ, Chapple IL (2009) Proteomic analysis of a noninvasive human model of acute inflammation and its resolution: the twenty-one day model. J Proteome Res 9(9): 4732-44.