Research interests

My long-standing research interests have been focused on the role and regulation of epithelial secretory proteins. This work has principally involved the study of the airway epithelium, through the use of 3D in vitro model systems, but more recently has expanded to include the oral and nasal mucosa and the epithelium of the middle ear. My specific interests have focused on the fields of innate immunity, host defence and tumour biology.

I have also recently started to investigate the potential of using my tissue culture expertise to develop in vitro models of human salivary glands from fresh human tissue. We are now routinely isolating cells from human sublingual glands and are currently characterising cell phenotype under different culture conditions. The mid-term aim is to use these models to begin to elucidate the initial stages of salivary gland diseases such as Sjogren’s syndrome and salivary gland tumours.

Research interests

Our research aim is to use and further develop neurobiological and neuropharmacological approaches (including MRI imaging, in vivo, neurochemistry, molecular and electrophysiology) to study altered neuronal excitability and activity in the central nervous system using in vitro and in vivo preclinical models of human disorders. We particularly focus on neurological conditions such as migraine and stroke and associated comorbidities (i.e. cardiovascular and psychiatric disorders, inflammatory conditions) to identify the molecular changes that ultimately contribute to the development of chronic pain in these conditions, with the potential of offering novel targets for the development of new therapeutics.

Research interests

Research interests include sociology and public health, giving patients' voices in their care and exploring the relationship between consumption and health. My current work explores the impact of tooth loss on oral health related quality of life and wellbeing. This work links with my growing interest in the intersections between sociology, public health  and consumption. I have students examining the social organisation of ill health drawing on a range of social theories including social practice theory, critical discourse analysis, ethnography and grounded theory.

In relation to oral health and dentistry I continue to develop my interest in the sociology of oral health and healthcare by examining the embodied experience of dental care. This involves a sustained analysis of the work of dentists and patients in maintaining oral health using ethnography (digital and observational) and qualitative research methods.

Research interests

Bacterial infections cause a diverse range of disease ranging from superficial skin infections to periodontitis to severe infections such as sepsis and meningitis. This coupled with rising antimicrobial resistance have led to increasing burdens of infection and are therefore a significant health concern worldwide. Bacterial adhesion to host cells is essential for both colonisation and infection. New therapies to prevent adhesion could significantly decrease disease and reduce the burden of antibiotic usage.

We have identified a superfamily of proteins on host cells which appear to control bacterial adherence to epithelial cells. These proteins, the tetraspanins, do not act as receptors but organise and cluster hijacked host proteins into 'adhesion platforms' to allow efficient adherence and entry of bacteria to cells. Blockade of these proteins leads to a significant reduction in bacterial adherence of many Gram negative and Gram positive bacteria. Using a variety of techniques we have identified members of these adhesion platforms and new ways to inhibit their function during infection. Furthermore, we investigate changes to the composition of both bacterial membrane proteins and host adhesion platforms during tetraspanin-mediated infection utilising a number of bacteria as models.

We are also interested in the importance of the bacterial microbiome in humans and how dysbiosis of this flora can affect various diseases ranging from skin afflictions to cancer. We currently run a number of studies which utilise Oxford Nanopore Technology sequencers to delineate the microbiome.

Research interests

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is the 8^th most common cancer in the UK. There are approximately 12,400 new HNC cases diagnosed in the UK each year and over 4,000 HNC-related deaths annually (Cancer Research UK). The Hunt Lab focuses on the role of extracellular vesicles (and other extracellular particles) in HNC. We research the mechanisms regulating their production (biogenesis) and how they mediate intercellular communication within the tumour microenvironment. We also explore how they could be exploited as a source of diagnostic/prognostic biomarkers and as novel therapeutic targets for head and neck cancer. Working in a clinical department, we have access to ex vivo patient samples and a wide range of HNC cell lines for in vitro studies.

Research interests

The interests of our research group fall in three broad interlinking areas, all of which seek to identify novel opportunities to improve quality of life.

Molecular mechanisms of cell:cell communication in ageing and cancer 

The behaviour of all cells is dictated by the signals derived from the surrounding microenvironment. In ageing and cancer, these signals may become corrupted by changes in surrounding cells, or by biomechanical or chemical changes to the extracellular matrix (ECM). A major focus of our work is to identify the mechanisms by which these signals, become corrupted. We are particularly interested in the role of signals derived from senescent cells, particularly the major cell type of connective tissue, fibroblasts, which accumulate with age and in several diseases, including cancer.  These signals include proteins, RNA (particularly non-coding RNA), DNA and extracellular vesicles.

Spatial analysis of the tissue microenviroment

In order to understand the mechanisms outlined above, we need to better understand the changes that happen within tissue in ageing and cancer. We are applying cutting edge spatial 'omics' techniques to understand, at an unprecedented level of resolution, the changes occuring in the phenotype of cells in aged and diseased tissue.  This will allow us to much more accurately model changes in the tissue microenvironment and identify potential new, individualised, therapeutic opportunities. We are also working closely with biomaterials scientists to use this information to use materials to mimic the tissue microenvironment, allowing us to accurately model the processes occuring in the body and also develop new ways to reverse disease-associated changes and regenerate damaged tissue.

Biomarker discovery 

The diagnosis and monitoring of many diseases, including cancer, requires painful collection of tissue. We are working closely with world-leading physical scientists to develop new ways to detect 'biomarkers' of cancer in blood and saliva, allowing non-invasive or entirely painless disease diagnosis and monitoring. These approaches include nanoplasmonics and other methods not routinely used for biological applications, but with the promise to revolutionalise disease sensing. We are also applying these technologies to the analysis of senescence, to allow accurate determination of biological age and support the development of drugs designed to reduce the health impacts of ageing.

Research interests

Synthesis and application of nano-particulate materials for dental applications.

The application of nucleating agents for the remineralisation of dentine

Integrity of structurally compromised restored teeth as compound systems

Optimisation of ceramic crown-tooth compound systems

Development and characterisation of novel restorative systems.

Remote digital communication for the provision of health care in dentistry

Development of L&T in restorative dentistry

Clinical evaluation of restorative systems

Research interests

Main interests are centred on oral epithelial biology, the mechanisms of oral disease pathogenesis and development of new treatment strategies. I am particularly interested in how immune cells are recruited to and act at diseased oral sites and how they interact with other cells/microbes within the local microenvironment. My group has developed novel tissue engineered in vitro models of both healthy and diseased oral mucosa (and skin) to investigate disease processes. I have a long-standing track record of utilising these in vitro 3D engineered tissues as well as zebrafish larvae as direct replacements for animal models and have used these to study the role of oral microorganisms in mucosal and systemic disease. I’m also involved in projects aimed at fabricating oral patches and microneedles made from mucoadhesive polymers for oral mucosal drug delivery. Here we have produced electrospun patches to deliver small molecule drugs such as glucocorticoids, analgesics, antifungals and larger molecules such as antibodies and mRNA for vaccine delivery. I also work within a consortium of researchers developing electrical impedance as a form of non-invasive early diagnostics for the detection and management of oral premalignant disorders.

Current projects include:

• Novel forms of oral mucoadhesive drug and vaccine delivery and the role of xenobiotic metabolising enzymes in the oral mucosa.
• Development of tissue engineered oral mucosal and skin model - atopic dermatitis, oral lichen planus
• Host-pathogen interactions at the mucosal surface.
• Role of innate immune cells in head and neck cancer.
• Use of zebrafish to examine the role of oral microbes in systemic disease.

Research interests

Dr Thomas Paterson is a Lecturer in the School of Clinical Dentistry at the University of Sheffield, where he combines his expertise in materials science with the field of bioelectronics to drive innovations in healthcare. His research primarily develops implantable and wearable bioelectronic devices that improve diagnostics and treatments across various medical applications. These devices span a wide array of applications, from epilepsy treatment and soft electrode manufacturing to wound healing and dental health monitoring, aiming to address complex healthcare challenges through technology.

Throughout his career, Dr Paterson has developed a particular interest in additive manufacturing, hydrogel engineering, biosignal recording and antimicrobial materials. These interests have translated into several ongoing projects, including developing conductive and elastic materials for wearable diagnostics, conductive electrospun sensors for jaw movement tracking, and exploring cellular mechanisms underpinning wound healing under variable pressure conditions.

Research interests

My earliest work was in the field of neuroscience, where I used the human tooth pulp as a model to gain greater understanding into mechanisms of inflammatory pain. However, I then moved from basic science research to more social science research. I have focussed on the patient experience with particular emphasis on the impact of dental conditions, such as
traumatic dental injuries or enamel defects on children's oral health-related quality of life. I am also very involved in research to reduce children's dental anxiety through a guided self-help cognitive behavioural therapy approach. I work in a fantastic multi-disciplinary research team which aims to improve the oral health and treatment experiences of children and young people through a combination of clinical and social science research strategies. Our ethos is to engage children themselves in all our research and service development activities. To date, I have supervised 10 PhDs, 2 MPhils and 11 Masters to completion which have mostly had a child-centred theme.

My current research programme is driven by Health and Social policy which have highlighted the need to be more inclusive of children in decisions about their healthcare, as well as involving them more actively in health-related research and service development. In line with this, a key research objective is to develop robust patient-centred clinical outcome measures for use in dentistry. These will have important application within the NHS in determining the benefits of various treatment modalities in order to more effectively direct resource allocation.

I work within a unique multi-disciplinary research group at the University of Sheffield, the ‘Person Centered and Population Oral Health’ group, which includes researchers across several clinical specialities and social sciences. The group conducts and implements high quality research in oral health, utilising the theories and empirical traditions of dental public health, sociology and psychology and a range of methodologies.

Research interests

My Group takes a multidisciplinary approach to investigating a range of biological problems ranging from basic biology to prototype translational projects.  There are several areas of research within the group which centres around the study of human pathogens with an overall aim at understanding microbial disease processes and exploiting the knowledge we generate for translational purposes wherever possible.

Bacteriophage biology:

Since 2016 the group have embarked on a programme of bacteriophage studies targeting a range of AMR (AntiMicrobial Resistant) pathogens including several of ESKAPE pathogens (Enterococci, Staphylococci, Klebsiella, ESBL etc)  as well as oral bacteria (Streptococci and Enterococci).

In recent years we have focused on isolation and characterisation of bacteriophage targeting pathogens from  a range of hard to treat Diabetic Foot Ulcer infections- which we call the DiaPhage project..  We aim to both understand the biology of these phages and their interactions with their bacterial hosts as well as working with clinical colleagues to develop them into viable novel antimicrobial treatments to cure DFU and other human infections.  We use a combination of genomics, biochemistry, structural biology and antibiotic resistance assays. 

The work is conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the faculty of science as well as clinical colleagues from Sheffield Teaching Hospitals trust.

Oral microbiology:

Our main focus is aimed at understanding the fundamental biology of bacteria residing in the oral cavity.  These studies have focused in several areas:

-        Biology of periodonatal pathogens: aimed at understanding how these bacteria interact with each other, human cells and within biofilms with a focus on glycobiology and innate immune modulation

-        Functional understanding of the oral microbiome: in collaboration with oral consumer product companies we focus on understanding how the composition and metabolism of the oral microbiome is influenced by nutrients, oral antimicrobial products.  We use a combination of nanopore based microbiome sequencing and metaproteomics (in collaboration with colleagues in the faculty of Engineeering).

The group  employ a variety of genetic and biochemical techniques while in collaboration with colleagues in the faculty of Medicine, faculty of Science and Faculty of Engineering to answer key questions within our areas of interest.