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Microbial Diseases
The activities of the Microbial Diseases division are the prime drivers of bacteriologically-based research within the UCL-Faculty of Biomedical Science Division of Infection and Immunity and are applicable not only to the oral and craniofacial complex, but also outside that field - as demonstrated by strong links with UCL Joint Centre for Rheumatology and other Departments, the UK Health Protection Agency and the Sanger Institute for genome research.
Microorganisms are central to the pathogenesis of the major orofacial and dental diseases (caries and periodontal diseases), are important in surgical, endodontic, implant and mucosal infections, and are implicated in serious systemic disease such as aspiration pneumonia, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, pancreatic cancer and other conditions and with effects on pregnancy and the foetus. The activities of the division are focused upon investigating the indigenous microbiota and its role in health and disease- examining the aetiology, pathogenesis and control of diseases caused by micro-organisms from the mouth, those associated with skeletal, and other pathology.
Significant contributions to the scientific community by this division include advancing knowledge by publication of research findings in high impact journals, as respected research leaders and opinion makers,
staff have also published reviews in prestigious journals (Annual
Reviews of Microbiology, British Medical Journal, Critical Reviews in
Oral Biology & Medicine, Journal of Dental Research, Lancet
Infectious Disease, Nature, New England Journal of Medicine, Trends in
Microbiology), and authored and edited several textbooks, including a
Cambridge University press series consisting of 15 volumes, generation
and commercialisation of intellectual property in the form of 8 patent
applications and 2 patent licensing agreements and intellectual property
has also been successfully translated to clinical use by PeriowaveTM launched in Canada within the last year and now used by 10% of periodontists.
Research in the division is encompassed by four inter-related themes:
Antimicrobial Strategies and Resistance
This group is investigating the mechanisms of bacterial resistance to antimicrobials and novel methods of circumventing these.
Biofilms and Ecology
This group is investigating biofilms for shifts in the
microbial populations, and the ecology of micro-organisms infecting the
mouth.
Genetics and Virulence
This group is investigating the genetic and molecular basis of
bacteria disease pathogenesis by studying the production and
biochemistry of virulence factors and the underlying genetics and
specific genetic control of these molecules.
Cellular Microbiology
This group is investigating how micro-organisms interact with host cells and matrices.
Page last modified on 25 oct 11 16:40
