UCL Eastman Dental Institute

Translational Research

The Eastman's commitment to translational research over the last few years has seen the commercial application of research in a number of areas. Periowave (a device for treating periodontitis using light-activated antimicrobial agents) is now being marketed in Canada by Ondine Biopharma. Additionally, BoneLike® (a high-strength bone grafting material) is now being manufactured in Portugal by MedMat Innovation.

Periowave is a revolutionary new adjunctive treatment bringing the power and ease of photodynamic disinfection¹ to the treatment of periodontal diseases. As a site-specific and microorganism-specific treatment, the Periowave system offers an entirely new adjunctive treatment protocol for the reduction of periodontal pathogens - raising the bar for site-specific antimicrobials. The Periowave system destroys the periodontal pathogens that scaling and root planing leave behind. As an adjunctive therapy, Periowave gives clinicians the ability to dramatically enhance patient care within a traditional dental hygiene framework.

¹The patented process was developed by Prof Michael Wilson and colleagues and is licensed to Ondine Biopharma Corporation by UCL Biomedica.

Eastman Clinical Investigation Centre (ECIC)

The Clinical Investigation Centre enhances the Eastman's current preclinical/clinical research activities. The Centre is a dedicated clinical facility on the Eastman site, located in Central London. For further information, please visit the ECIC web page.

Pre-clinical and Clinical Trials

The following list indicates the range of investigations being undertaken at the Eastman:

• Double-blind cross-over study of Benzydamine HCl in oral lichen planus.
• Study of toluidine blue staining in oral malignancy.
• Study of putative anti-calculus agents.
• Studies of oral mucositis.
• Slow release pilocarpine for Sjogren's syndrome
• Double-blind, single-dose, cross-over study in healthy subjects to establish bioequivalence of a generic formulation of benzydamine and Difflam administered as oral rinse.
• Double-blind, single-dose, cross-over study in healthy subjects to establish bioequivalence of a generic formulation of benzydamine and Difflam administered as spray.
• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel group study of Sativex in the treatment of subject with peripheral neuropathic pain associated with allodynia
• A double-blind, randomized trial of the efficacy of Hyben X in the treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis
• The functional effect of Axl gene on osteogenesis and osseointegration in osteoblast and human bone marrow derived stem cells
• The effect of the SLActive surface on the potential for new bone formation in experimental diabetes
• Genetic influences on acute inflammation using a periodontal therapy model
• The effect of SLActive surface in guided bone formation in osteoporotic rabbits
• Clinical outcomes following non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis using Scaling and Root Planning (SRP) in combination with Perioware, compared to SRP alone.
• Dental prophylaxis and prevention of Periodontitis in different risk categories - A systematic review
• Comparison of synthetic bone substitute ( Straumann Bone Ceramic) and a bovine-derived xenograft (Bio-Oss) in combination with GTR for volume preservation of alveolar ridge after tooth extraction; a randomised, single blind, controlled clinical trial
• Correlation of histological and molecular mechanisms during the early stages of osseointegration
• Comprehensive evaluation of periodontal therapy (The CEPT Study)
• NICE Dental Recall Guidelines
• Effects of Non-surgical Periodontal Therapy on Endothelial Function
• Interventions for prevention of periodontal diseases
• Clinical evaluation of periodontal wound healing by the use of laser doppler flowmetry following different surgical flap designs.
• The effect of a novel osteoinductive material in the healing of critical size defects
• A randomised, controlled, single-blind pilot study of supportive periodontal therapy using either mechanical instrumentation or 2% minocycline ointment.
• GCF ICTP and salivary cotinine - statistical analysis of study investigating low-lose doxycycline in treatment of smokers with periodontitis.
• The effect of diabetic metabolic control on the augmentation of the mandible using the principle of guided tissue regeneration.
• Pilot Study of Arestin: Effects on Glycemic Control in subjects with Type 2 Diabetes and Chronic Periodontitis.
• The natural progression of periodontal attachment loss: a clinical observational follow-up study.
• Clinical outcomes following treatment of human intrabony defects with GTR / bone replacement or access flap alone
• Pilot intervention study exploring the relationship between periodontitis and cardiovascular disease.
• A molecular examination of osseointegration to different titanium surfaces using differential gene display and expressional profiling techniques.

For those interested in putting their 'ideas into action' the London Technology Network (LTN) aims to support London's higher education institutes. LTN is a not for profit, government-funded initiative that enables technology intensive companies worldwide to engage effectively with London's universities.

LTN have recruited over 100 'Business Fellows' from London's top university departments and have provided them with training on technology transfer, enabling them to interact with industry as well as promote research within their host institutions. LTN's board includes representatives from some of the world's most respected higher education institutions, including Imperial College London, London Business School, King's College London and University College London. LTN has the same close working relationship with these universities as it does with all the other London-based universities and research centres.

While the LTN was originally funded with money from the Department of Trade & Industry (DTI), it has very close relationships with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO), and 'Invest UK' which it uses to maximise the efficiency of its work with non-UK based companies. LTN also works closely with the London Development Agency (LDA) and Business Link for London.