Dr R. Phil. W. Davies

Profile

I am a Lecturer in the School of Dentistry with a research focus in dental biomaterials, biomineralisation and translational oral-health technologies. My work sits at the interface of chemistry, biology, materials science and dentistry, with particular emphasis on self-assembling peptide systems, mineralised-tissue repair, hard-tissue characterisation and industry-facing product validation.

I hold BSc, MSc and PhD qualifications in Chemistry, all awarded by the University of Leeds. My doctoral research, supervised by Professor Nevile Boden and Dr Amalia Aggeli and part-funded by Dow Chemicals, investigated the physicochemical properties of de novo beta-sheet-forming peptides. This provided the foundation for my later work on self-assembling peptide technologies for biomedical and dental applications.

Following my PhD, I contributed to peptide production, quality-control protocols and translational development for samples used in first-in-human clinical studies for peptide based regenaritive theripies for caries. This work supported the translation of University of Leeds intellectual property into commercial oral-health products through industry partnership. I subsequently held postdoctoral roles within the WELMEC Centre of Excellence in Medical Engineering and through IKC/Credentis-funded translational research.

Responsibilities

• DSUR1252 Module Lead
• DSUR2251 Module lead
• DSUR5028M Module lead

Research interests

My research interests centre on the design, characterisation and translation of biomaterials for oral and dental applications. Current areas include:

self-assembling beta-sheet-forming peptides for biomineralisation and tissue repair;

peptide-based systems for antimicrobial delivery and host–microbe interface control;

biomimetic scaffolds for hard-tissue repair and regeneration;

mineralised-tissue characterisation using advanced imaging and materials-analysis methods;

dental materials, interfaces, adhesion and polymer-based restorative systems;

industry-facing product validation and translational testing platforms.

Across these areas, my work uses chemistry and materials science to support the rational development of technologies for dental and biomedical use.

My current academic profile is defined by:

Translational dental biomaterials

My research uses fundamental chemistry and materials characterisation to support the development of technologies for oral and dental health. This includes peptide-based biomimetic systems, antimicrobial and biofilm-facing materials, dental materials interfaces, and methods for evaluating mineralised tissues and hard-tissue repair.

Industry-facing research and knowledge exchange

A major feature of my work is translation beyond academia. I have worked with industrial and commercial partners including Credentis AG, vVardis, Haleon, EthOss Regeneration, Reminova and GreenMark Biomedical. This work has included product-validation methods, regulatory-supporting evidence, hard-tissue characterisation, peptide formulation and quality control, and translational testing platforms for oral-health and biomaterials technologies.

This industry-facing activity has supported externally funded and commercially relevant research, including an Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Partnership with EthOss Regeneration Ltd of approximately £415k, BBSRC/STFC-Haleon awards totalling approximately £400k RGI, and commercialisation-linked income to the University arising from the self-assembling peptide technology pathway.

Research leadership and platform development

I have contributed to School and University research capability through interdisciplinary network leadership, infrastructure development and collaborative research platforms. This includes work in biomineralisation, biofilms, dental materials, hard-tissue imaging and medical technologies. A central aim of this work is to create methods, infrastructure and collaborations that can be used by wider academic, clinical and industrial communities.

Qualifications

• BSc Chemistry
• PhD Chemistry

Professional memberships

• Royal Society of Chemistry (AMRSC)

Student education

I teach across dental and biomedical sciences, including dental materials, biomaterials, biomineralisation, mineralised tissues, biochemistry, metabolism and the scientific principles underpinning dental practice. I have played a major role in the redefined undergraduate dental curriculum, particularly the Dental and Biomedical Sciences theme, contributing to curriculum design, learning-outcome mapping, assessment design and the integration of biomedical, chemical and materials science across the Dental Surgery and Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy programmes.

Research groups and institutes

• Biomineralisation

Current postgraduate researchers

• Reham Gonnah