There is a variety of research activity taking place at the Institute. Below is a list of research areas, each with details of project titles within that area suitable for study at MPhil/PhD level.
To discuss any potential MPhil/PhD further, please do not contact potential supervisors directly.ÌýAll enquiries should be directed to the Research Student AdministratorÌýatÌýedi-phd@ucl.ac.uk.
You can also browse PhD projects by supervisor.
- Antibiotic resistance
Project titles:
New therapeutics for tuberculosis: identification and characterisation of cofactor biosynthesis pathways and their role during infection
Supervisor:Rational design of future drug combinations as a strategy to combat antibiotic resistance and superbugs
Supervisor:Exploring gene transfer in the whole oral microbiota metagenomics, oral microbiota, mobile genetic elements
Supervisor:Novel approaches to understanding how the important nosocomial pathogen Clostridium difficile causes disease
Clostridium difficile, virulence, antimicrobial associated disease
Supervisor:- Bacterial virulence
ÌýProject titles:
Identification of novel therapeutic targets in bacteria associated with healthcare infections such as staphylococcus aureus and 'superbugs' such as VRE and MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, enterococci, VRE, virulence
Supervisor:Novel approaches to understanding how the important nosocomial pathogen Clostridium difficile causes disease
Clostridium difficile, virulence, antimicrobial associated disease
Supervisor:- Biofilms
Project titles:
Constant depth film fermentor models of gingivitis and periodontitis
gingivitis, periodontitis, biofilms
Supervisor:Development of new strategies for treating implant infections
biofilms, enterococci, periodontal pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis
Supervisor:Molecular mechanisms of biofilm formation
Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, VRSA
Supervisor:Synthetic biology to develop agents for disrupting medically important biofilms
molecular breeding, domain shuffling, enzymes
Supervisor:Understanding biofilm regulation in Campylobacter jejuni
biofilms, signalling, virulence
Supervisor:Bacterial vitamin biosynthesis pathways and their role in the homeostasis of the oral microbiomeÌý
Supervisor: Ìý- Biomaterials and composites for matrix tissue engineering
Project titles:
- Catalyst free synthesis of polyesters for tissue engineering
- Neurogenic and Osteogenic peptide delivery via polymer matrices
- Development of Degradable Fibres for Hard and Soft Tissue Engineering
- Silk fibroin and degradable polyurethane composites with improved mechanical properties
Supervisor:
- Large-scale synthesis of a novel microbial-derived polymer
- Development of a biomimetic membrane for wound dressing
- Long-term cell storage and delivery
Supervisor:
- Caries Microbiology
ÌýProject titles:
Novel signal transduction mechanisms in Streptococcus mutans
Ìý³§³Ü±è±ð°ù±¹¾±²õ´Ç°ù:Synthetic biology to develop dental plaque disrupting agents
molecular breeding, domain shuffling, enzymes
Supervisor:- Development of novel antimicrobial therapies
Project titles:
A synthetic biology approach to the development of phage therapy to bacterial diseases
phage, oral acquisition microflora, caries
Supervisor: /ÌýIdentification of novel therapeutic targets in bacteria associated with healthcare infections such as staphylococcus aureus and 'superbugs' such as VRE and MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus, MRSA, enterococcus, VRE, virulence
Supervisor:Development of novel antimicrobial agents and identification of antimicrobial agents produced by microorganisms novel antimicrobials, metagenomics, antimicrobial peptides, bacteriocins
Supervisor:Metagenomics for natural product discovery
Supervisor:Biofilm disruption activities in natural environments
Supervisor:Targeted photodynamic therapy for bacterial infections
photosensitizers, singlet oxygen, targeting molecules, MRSA, staphylococcus
Supervisor:- Endodontal microbiology
Project titles:
Constant depth film fermentor models of endodontal infections
Supervisor:Molecular mechanisms of enterococcal resistance to root canal treatments and host defences
Supervisor:- Injectable, antibacterial, remineralising materials for tooth and bone repair
Project titles
Self adhesive, re-mineralising, antibacterial dental restorative materials
dental restoration,Ìý methacrylate, calcium phosphate, antibacterial release / action
Supervisor: /Replacement of PMMA bone cement with a modified dental composite
polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), bone cement, dental composite, strength, antibacterial
Supervisor: /Degradable composite bone cement development
calcium phosphate, degradable polymers, bone cement, drug release
³§³Ü±è±ð°ù±¹¾±²õ´Ç°ù:Ìý- Mucosal immunity
Project titles:
Mucosal immune response in health and disease
Innate, adaptive, immunity, inflammation, macrophage, Toll-like receptorsTranscriptomic analysis of oral inflammatory disease
Transcriptomics, inflammation, human disease, next generation sequencing, bioinformaticsUnderstanding epithelial immunity to bacterial and viral infection
Inflammation, toll-like receptors, inflammasome, autophagy, next generation sequencingUnderstanding the mechanisms driving oral inflammation
Innate immunity, inflammation, toll-like receptors, human disease, probiotics, dysbiosisStudying the role of probiotics in the regulation of mucosal inflammation and immunity Investigating how autophagy influences mucosal immune responses
Innate immunity, toll-like receptors, Nod-like receptors, epithelial cells, macrophagesÌý³§³Ü±è±ð°ù±¹¾±²õ´Ç°ù: - Ìý
- Oral medicine
Project titles:
Development of patient-related outcomes (PRO) measures in oral mucosal diseases
Supervisor:Innate Immunity defects in oral mucosal disease
Supervisor:Efficacy of antibiotic prophylaxis in reducing the risk of jaw osteonecrosis in individuals exposed to bisphosphonates who undergo dental extractions
Supervisor:Mucosal immune response in health and disease
Innate and adaptive immunity, inflammation, macrophage, Toll-like receptors
Supervisor:Transcriptomic analysis of oral inflammatory disease
Transcriptomics, inflammation, human disease, next generation sequencing, bioinformatics
Supervisor:Understanding the mechanisms driving oral inflammation
Innate immunity, inflammation, toll-like receptors, human disease, probiotics, dysbiosis
Supervisor:Studying the role of probiotics in the regulation of mucosal inflammation and immunity
Supervisor:Migraine and oral health: are the two diseases linked?
Supervisor:The oral microbiome and cancer
Supervisor:Defining the core outcome set in trigeminal neuralgia - the TRINCOS study
Supervisor:- Oral health and performance
Project titles:
- The natural history of the dental pellicle and its relationship to dental erosion in elite sport
- Oral health and performanceÌýin elite sportÌý
- Nasal, oral and gut microbiomes for elite sport performance and population health
- Oral biomarkers for monitoring elite athlete performance and health
- Physical activity, inflammation and periodontal health
Supervisor:
- Paediatric Dentistry
Project titles:
Investigations of the effectiveness of remineralising composites as a restorative material in children
pain management,paediatric dentistry, sedation, anxiety management
Supervisor:- Periodontal Microbiology
Project titles:
Constant depth film fermentor models of ginigivitis and periodontitis gingivitis, periodontitis, biofilms
Supervisor:Identification of natural antimicrobial agents for the treatment of periodontal disease
periodontal pathogens, natural antimicrobials
Supervisor:The role of biofilms in infections of titanium surfaces
periodontal pathogens, implants, titanium
Supervisor:Periodontitis and inflammatory bowel diseases: Exploring the nature of the association.
Supervisor:- Periodontology
Project titles:
Treatment of Periodontitis and Cardiovascular Outcomes in Patients with Diabetes
Supervisor:Comparison of different modalities of periodontal therapy
Supervisor:Physical activity, inflammation and periodontal healthÌý
Supervisor:Mastication and periodontitis
Supervisor:Weight loss and periodontitis
Supervisor:Refined carbohydrate consumption and periodontal inflammation
Supervisor:Mechanisms of endothelial inflammation/damage in periodontitis
Supervisor:- Periodontology and Dental Implantology
Project titles:
Characterisation of periosteum-derived grafts for periodontal repair/regeneration
Supervisor:Regulation of cementum development and repair
Supervisor:Development of a smart investigational product dispenser for clinical trials
Supervisor:- Prosthodontics
Project titles:
The influence of implant-abutment corrosion products on cell metabolic pathways implant abutment, dental implants, corrosion, peri-implantitis, bone loss
Supervisor: /- Microbiome
- Modelling the effect of functional foods and their active components on oral microbiome
- Studying the impact of the microbiome on oral mucosal inflammatory disease
- Investigating ways to manipulate the oral microbiome
- Investigating the anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics in oral health and disease
Supervisors: and
Nasal, oral and gut microbiomes for elite sport performance and population health.Ìý
Supervisor:Bacterial vitamin biosynthesis pathways and their role in the homeostasis of the oral microbiomeÌý
Supervisor:The oral microbiome and cancer
Supervisor:Ìý