Periodontal Research Group (PRG)

Our research group

The periodontal research group (PRG) focus on unravelling the complex pathobiological pathways that govern periodontal inflammation at the molecular, cellular and clinical levels. Identifying mechanisms underpinning disease pathogenesis and the inter-relationships between periodontal inflammation and other chronic inflammatory diseases (such as gastrointestinal disorders, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease) and the ageing immune system are key goals. We have a particular interest in neutrophil biology and host-microbial interactions.

We are increasingly adopting a stratified medicine approach to common disease pathways that may explain periodontal-systemic links through our expertise in analytical epidemiology. We work with large cohorts and datasets, employing bioinformatics and computational biology approaches to understand the complex bio-clinical datasets we create.

Our work includes a multi-omics approach in the area of periodontal infection and immunity, and we have expertise in proteomics, lipidomics, transcriptomics and the oral microbiome. These fundamental approaches allow us to work with rare diseases like Epidermolysis Bullosa, Papillon-Lefevre Syndrome and Plasma Cell dyscrasia’s (e.g. myelomatosis).

Translation into improved care is a priority and achieved through clinical trials to provide novel diagnostics and host-modulating therapies. Indeed, we have spun out 2 companies in the risk and diagnostics arena and filed over 20 patents (2019-2025) in the saliva diagnostics space. We are undertaking large effectiveness studies on early case detection of systemic diseases in high street dental practices (e.g. Diabetes) and developing care pathways for early case detection of periodontal status in non-dental settings (INDICATE, INDICATE-2).

The team also lead, with gastroenterology colleagues, the Oral, Gastrointestinal and Systemic Disease theme of Birmingham’s NIHR Biomedical Research Centre in Inflammation (2022-2027).

Our achievements

In 2025, the Periodontal Research Group celebrates 35 years of its existence. It was established in 1990 and has since produced over 30 PhD graduates and 2 professorships through fostering high-quality research, international collaborations and industry partnerships. Collectively, the PRG has achieved more than 350 publications with over 50,000 citations, outputs in the form of 16 clinical guidelines, over 20 patents, and 2 spin-out companies.