Mission

The Infection and Immunity Research Group study microbial pathogens associated with oral health and disease and investigate how they interact with the host. Fundamentally we are interested in how oral host-pathogen biofilm interactions influences systemic health.

Themes

Our group of scientists and clinicians has extensive experience in oral microbiology and immunology. Over the past 5 years we have developed a key interest in host-pathogen interactions associated with caries, periodontitis and candidiasis. For further information please refer to individual researchers.

Funding

Funding from research councils, local government and industry have allowed us to investigate mechanisms of microbial control via host and chemotherapeutic intervention using the latest technological advances in the field.

Translational & Impact

Both the Infection & Immunity and Community Oral Health research groups have strong links with the Scottish Government Health Department. Many of our research activities relate to political priorities such as patient safety and reduction of oral health inequalities. For example, research into infection control and instrument decontamination procedures have had significant impact on clinical dental practice. Currently, in collaboration with the Community Oral Health Group, our team is actively engaged in clinical studies involving priority groups, including young children through to the elderly. This combination of microbiological, immunological, public health and epidemiological expertise to study oral infectious diseases in these populations, with scope for enhancing prevention, permits powerful translation into practice and significant impact.

Gordon Ramage

Shauna Culshaw

Jeremy Bagg

Andrew Smith

Marcello Riggio

Christopher Nile

David Lappin

Douglas Robertson

Mr Raja Azman Awang
PhD Student
r.raja-awang.1@research.gla.ac.uk
The Role of Interleukin-33 in periodontal Disease

Miss Lindsay O'Donnell
PhD student
l.odonnell.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Denture stomatitis and oral biofilms

Mr Stephen Kerr
MSc Student
S.Kerr.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Fungal-bacterial interactions in Cystic Fibrosis

Miss Jennifer Malcom
PhD student
J.Malcom@Dental.gla.ac.uk
The host response in dental caries

Dr Elaine McCulloch
MSc Student
Elaine.McCulloch@glasgow.ac.uk
Influence of moulds on cystic fibrosis patients

Miss Emma Millhouse
PhD student
E.Millhouse.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Evaluating the immune responses to peridontal biofilms

Miss Jessica Oliver-Bell
PhD student
J.oliver-bell.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Development of B cell defences in periodontal disease and potentials in auto-immunity

Mr Ranjith Rajendran
PhD Student
r.rajendran.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Functional genomics in Aspergillus fumigatus

Miss Leighann Sherry
PhD Student
l.sherry.1@research.gla.ac.uk
Evaluating antimicrobial, toxicological and immunomodulatory properties of Carbohydrate Derived Fulvic Acid (CHD-FA)

Mrs Noha Zoheir
MSc Student
Noha.Zoheir@glasgow.ac.uk
The Role of Acetylcholine in Modulating the Periodontal Immune Response

Cardiovascular disease in autoimmune rheumatic diseases
Hollan, I. et al. (2013) Cardiovascular disease in autoimmune rheumatic diseases. Autoimmunity Reviews , 12 (10). pp. 1004-1015. ISSN 1568-9972 (doi:10.1016/j.autrev.2013.03.013 )

Comparison of circulating tumour necrosis factor superfamily cytokines in periodontitis patients undergoing supportive therapy: a case-controlled cross-sectional study comparing smokers and non-smokers in health and disease
Nile, C.J. , Sherrabeh, S., Ramage, G. , and Lappin, D.F. (2013) Comparison of circulating tumour necrosis factor superfamily cytokines in periodontitis patients undergoing supportive therapy: a case-controlled cross-sectional study comparing smokers and non-smokers in health and disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology , 40 (9). pp. 875-882. ISSN 0303-6979 (doi:10.1111/jcpe.12134 )

The clinical importance of fungal biofilms
Ramage, G. , and Williams, C. (2013) The clinical importance of fungal biofilms. Advances in Applied Microbiology , 84 . pp. 27-83. ISSN 0065-2164 (doi:10.1016/B978-0-12-407673-0.00002-3 )

Comparison of circulating Tumor necrosis factor superfamily cytokines in periodontitis patients undergoing supportive therapy; a case controlled cross sectional study comparing smokers and non-smokers in health and disease
Nile, C.J. , Sherrabeh, S., Ramage, G. , and Lappin, D.F. (2013) Comparison of circulating Tumor necrosis factor superfamily cytokines in periodontitis patients undergoing supportive therapy; a case controlled cross sectional study comparing smokers and non-smokers in health and disease. Journal of Clinical Periodontology . ISSN 0303-6979 (doi:10.1111/jcpe.12134 ) (In Press)

Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in periodontitis
Lappin, D.F. , Kjeldsen, M., Sander, L., and Kinane, D.F. (2000) Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression in periodontitis. Journal of Periodontal Research , 35 (6). pp. 369-73. ISSN 0022-3484 (doi:10.1034/j.1600-0765.2000.035006369.x )

Cytokine expression in periapical granulation tissue as assessed by immunohistochemistry
Walker, K.F., Lappin, D.F. , Hope, J., Takahasi, K., Macdonald, D.G., and Kinane, D.F. (2000) Cytokine expression in periapical granulation tissue as assessed by immunohistochemistry. European Journal of Oral Sciences , 108 (3). pp. 195-201. ISSN 0909-8836 (doi:10.1034/j.1600-0722.2000.108003195.x )

Heightened immune response to autocitrullinated porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase: a potential mechanism for breaching immunologic tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis
Quirke, A.-M. et al. (2013) Heightened immune response to autocitrullinated porphyromonas gingivalis peptidylarginine deiminase: a potential mechanism for breaching immunologic tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis. Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases . ISSN 0003-4967 (doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2012-202726 ) (Early Online Publication)

Saliva and serum levels of B-cell activating factors and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in periodontitis patients
Gümüş, P., Nizam, N., Lappin, D.F. , and Buduneli, N. (2013) Saliva and serum levels of B-cell activating factors and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in periodontitis patients. Journal of Periodontology . ISSN 0022-3492 (doi:10.1902/jop.2013.130117 ) (In Press)

Periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis lowers gingival crevicular fluid interleukin-1beta and DAS28 in rheumatoid arthritis patients
Bıyıkoğlu, B., Buduneli, N., Aksu, K., Nalbantsoy, A., Lappin, D.F. , Evrenosoğlu, E., and Kinane, D.F. (2013) Periodontal therapy in chronic periodontitis lowers gingival crevicular fluid interleukin-1beta and DAS28 in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Rheumatology International . ISSN 0172-8172 (doi:10.1007/s00296-013-2781-5 ) (In Press)

Novel bacterial phylotypes associated with the healthy feline oral cavity and feline chronic gingivostomatitis
Dolieslager, S.M.J., Bennett, D. , Johnston, N., and Riggio, M.P. (2013) Novel bacterial phylotypes associated with the healthy feline oral cavity and feline chronic gingivostomatitis. Research in Veterinary Science , 94 (3). pp. 428-432. ISSN 0034-5288 (doi:10.1016/j.rvsc.2012.11.003 )

Is IL-17 involved in the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and gingival inflammation?
Ozçaka, O., Buduneli, N., Ceyhan, B.O., Akcali, A., Hannah, V., Nile, C. , and Lappin, D.F. (2013) Is IL-17 involved in the interaction between polycystic ovary syndrome and gingival inflammation? Journal of periodontology . pp. 1-17. ISSN 0022-3492 (doi:10.1902/jop.2013.120483 ) (Early Online Publication)

Gingival crevicular fluid, serum levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin, interleukin-17 in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis Patients With Periodontal Disease
Gümüş, P., Buduneli, E., Bıyıkoğlu, B., Aksu, K., Saraç, F., Nile, C. , Lappin, D. , and Buduneli, N. (2013) Gingival crevicular fluid, serum levels of receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand, osteoprotegerin, interleukin-17 in rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis Patients With Periodontal Disease. Journal of periodontology . ISSN 0022-3492 (In Press)

The cdr1B efflux transporter is associated with non-cyp51a-mediated itraconazole resistance in aspergillus fumigatus
Fraczek, M.G., Bromley, M., Buied, A., Moore, C.B., Rajendran, R., Rautemaa, R., Ramage, G. , Denning, D.W., and Bowyer, P. (2013) The cdr1B efflux transporter is associated with non-cyp51a-mediated itraconazole resistance in aspergillus fumigatus. Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy , 68 (7). pp. 1486-1496. ISSN 0305-7453 (doi:10.1093/jac/dkt075 )

Commercial mouthwashes are ineffective against oral MRSA biofilms
Smith, K., Robertson, D.P. , Lappin, D.F. , and Ramage, G. (2013) Commercial mouthwashes are ineffective against oral MRSA biofilms. Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology , 115 (5). pp. 624-629. ISSN 2212-4403 (doi:10.1016/j.oooo.2012.12.014 )

Liposomal amphotericin B displays rapid dose-dependent activity against candida albicans biofilms
Ramage, G. , Jose, A. , Sherry, L., Lappin, D.F. , Jones, B. , and Williams, C. (2013) Liposomal amphotericin B displays rapid dose-dependent activity against candida albicans biofilms. Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy , 57 (5). pp. 2369-2371. ISSN 0066-4804 (doi:10.1128/AAC.02344-12 )

Extracellular DNA release acts as an antifungal resistance mechanism in mature aspergillus fumigatus biofilms
Rajendran, R., Williams, C. , Lappin, D.F. , Millington, O., Martins, M., and Ramage, G. (2013) Extracellular DNA release acts as an antifungal resistance mechanism in mature aspergillus fumigatus biofilms. Eukaryotic Cell , 12 (3). pp. 420-429. ISSN 1535-9778 (doi:10.1128/EC.00287-12 )

Cardiovascular disease in autoimmune rheumatics diseases
Hollan, I. et al. (2013) Cardiovascular disease in autoimmune rheumatics diseases. Autoimmunity Reviews . ISSN 1568-9972 (In Press)

The influence of oral bacteria on tissue levels of Toll-like receptor and cytokine mRNAs in feline chronic gingivostomatitis and oral health
Dolieslager, S.M.J., Lappin, D.F. , Bennett, D. , Graham, L., Johnston, N., and Riggio, M.P. (2013) The influence of oral bacteria on tissue levels of Toll-like receptor and cytokine mRNAs in feline chronic gingivostomatitis and oral health. Veterinary Immunology and Immunopathology , 151 (3-4). pp. 263-274. ISSN 0165-2427 (doi:10.1016/j.vetimm.2012.11.016 )

Bioassay studies support the potential for iatrogenic transmission of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease through dental procedures
Kirby, E. et al. (2012) Bioassay studies support the potential for iatrogenic transmission of variant Creutzfeldt Jakob Disease through dental procedures. PLoS ONE , 7 (11). e49850. ISSN 1932-6203 (doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0049850 )

A comparative in vitro study of two denture cleaning techniques as an effective strategy for inhibiting candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces and reducing inflammation
Ramage, G. , Zalewska, A. , Cameron, D.A. , Sherry, L. , Murray, C. , Finnegan, M.B., Loewy, Z.G., and Jagger, D.C. (2012) A comparative in vitro study of two denture cleaning techniques as an effective strategy for inhibiting candida albicans biofilms on denture surfaces and reducing inflammation. Journal of Prosthodontics , 21 (7). pp. 516-522. ISSN 1059-941X (doi:10.1111/j.1532-849X.2012.00865.x )

Prof Gordon Ramage

Tel: 0141 211 9752
gordon.ramage@glasgow.ac.uk