Global engagment grants for UCL Eastman researchers

The first award will enable Dr Andrew Smith and Brazilian colleagues to continue research into the treatment of odontogenic tumours.

The second will support Dr Stefano Fedele to cement his ongoing research collaboration with Dr Alberto Bedogni of the University of Padua (Italy) into medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (mronj).

Dr Smith said: “My research group currently includes two Brazilian Dental specialists who have a longstanding interest in odontogenic tumours.

“Once they return to Brazil next year we would like to maintain our collaborative studies and combine their clinical research with our cell biology and immunology expertise.

“This collaboration will involve the transfer of immortalised odontogenic tumours for experiment as well as the funding of PhD students and visiting academics.

“Ultimately the study aims to have a major positive impact on the treatment of a highly aggressive and life-altering oral tumour.”

Dr Fedele said: "I have been working with Dr Bedogni and a large multicentre network of investigators for the last five years and our collaborative research on mronj has so far led to five publications in peer reviewed journals and one research grant of £70,000."

"I look forward to strengthening this collaboration and design new studies on this serious irreversible disorder of the jaw bones".

Dr Bedogni will also delivered a research seminar to UCL Eastman postgraduates and the wider UCL community on the surgical management of mronj.
 

Pictured: The Brazilian Research Team of Prof Joao De Jesus Viana Pinheiro, (L-R): Sergio Alves, DDS, PhD; Sueli Kataoka, DDS, PhD; Aline Flacao, DDS, MSc; Aline Dias DDS; Dimitra Castle DDS; Joao Habib DDS; Thaianna Oliveira, Undergraduate student.