Professor Josette Camilleri
Clinical Professor of Endodontics and Applied Materials
Professor Josette Camilleri, Professor of Endodontics and Applied Materials, University of Birmingham, UK.
Oral Repair and Regeneration
Dental and biomedical materials
Dental and biomedical materials are key to oral health innovation. Our research focuses on developing and optimising polymers, photocurable materials, alloys, ceramics, and cements for both dental and wider biomaterial applications. We use modern material manufacturing methods such as 3D printing. Furthermore, we have expertise in photobiomodulation, and our research has shown promise in treating traumatic brain injuries in an animal model.
We also study hydraulic cements used in endodontics, improving understanding of their chemistry and interactions with tooth structure, blood, and the clinical environment through lab testing and analysis of failed cases. This work has informed clinical protocols, including identifying causes of tooth discolouration linked to bismuth oxide and sodium hypochlorite, leading to its removal from materials. Additionally, we develop standards for testing hydraulic cements, supported by the Medical Research Council.
Dental material quality control is undertaken through an operating division based at University of Birmingham Enterprise. Details of the operating division – Birmingham Materials Testing Services (BiMaTS) can be found at www.bimats.co.uk.
Staff in this research area
Dr Mohammed Abdul Hadis
Lecturer in Dental Materials Science
Dr Mohammed Abdul Hadis is a Lecturer in Dental Materials Science at the School of Dentistry at University of Birmingham
Professor Will Palin
Professor in Biomedical Materials Science
Staff profile of Professor Will Palin, Professor in Biomedical Materials Science at University of Birmingham.
Drug development
Drug development as part of our translational research focuses on addressing antimicrobial resistance and biofilm-associated infections, recognised by the World Health Organization as a major global health threat.
We employ innovative strategies, including the design of antimicrobial microparticles and peptides to target periodontal diseases. Additionally, we are developing live biotherapeutics encapsulated within smart biopolymers to deliver oral microbiota transplants directly to the periodontal environment, as part of the University of Birmingham’s NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in the Inflammation, Oral, Gastrointestinal and Systemic Health theme. We have also contributed to the development of NoroZite™, an anti-scarring oral spray for the treatment of mucosal ulceration.
Our work further explores novel combinations of antibiotics with pharmaceutical excipients, such as amino acids and polyols, to combat biofilm-associated infections in the oral cavity. We have shown that acidic amino acids disrupt extracellular DNA within the biofilm matrix, enhancing ciprofloxacin penetration and bacterial eradication. These investigations are supported by antimicrobial assays, mechanistic studies of biofilm disruption, and transcriptomic analyses.
Staff in this research area
Professor Iain Chapple
Professor of Periodontology and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry
Professor Iain Chapple. Professor of Periodontology and Consultant in Restorative Dentistry. ICS Head of Research
Dr Melissa Grant
Associate Professor
Staff profile for Dr Melissa Grant, Associate Professor, School of Dentistry in the College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham.
Dr Ayesha Sabah Rahman
Associate Professor in Microbiology
Dr Ayesha Sabah Rahman, Associate Professor in Microbiology, School of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham