We explore the frontiers of pain to benefit patients
Our work crosses the disciplines of neuroscience, pharmacy, psychology, and clinical research to better understand and treat pain.
Latest news
-
Emma Beecroft invited to present In Naples, Italy at the 38th International AIGeDO Congress.
Emma Beecroft was invited to speak in Naples, Italy, at the 38th International AIGeDO Congress on 10th October 2025. One of the core mission statements of the Italian Association for Gnathology and Orofacial Pain (AIGeDO) is to enhance practitioner expertise and patient care in this specialized field, making Emma’s invitation to present alongside eminent international…
-
British Orthodontic Society ASM
Justin was invited to present at this prestigious conference (16th Oct 2024) to discuss the management of TMD and the new guidelines available to help all healthcare professionals with TMD. He also explained some of the latest science behind changes in the mouth and face, pain pathways and central brain changes. His presentation can be…
-
Team present work at World Endodontic Congress in Glasgow
The team were well represented, with Professor Justin Durham, Dr Jamie Coulter, and Dr David Edwards presenting their research at the World Endodontic Congress held in in Glasgow in Sept 2024. Click here to access materials from this conference
Current projects
-
Molecular Interplay in Progression of Neuropathic pain and Parkinson’s Disease.
This study aims to identify the differential gene and protein expression associated with pain pathways in iPSCs-derived sensory neurons obtained from Parkinson’s patients or patients with TSC mutations vs iPSCs controls sensory neurons using genetic and proteins analyses. Then determining the functional abnormalities in patients’ iPSC-derived sensory in response to pain stimuli by using functional analyses e.g., calcium imaging, patch-clamp or multi-electrode arrays. By identifying the potentially deregulated proteins in patient models, it will be possible to pinpoint therapeutic targets to reverse the abnormal functional behaviours of patients’ sensory neurons through pharmacological intervention, or by genetic manipulation of the target…
-
FacE-PD- Facial pain Experience in Parkinson’s Disease
This study aims to understand the types of pain affecting the face, head and mouth regions in people with Parkinson’s disease. Most people living with Parkinson’s disease experience pain, and this pain is often not well managed. Pain acts as the body’s warning system, signalling that something may be wrong so that the area can be protected and given time to heal. Pain in the head, face, and mouth area (known as orofacial pain) is often felt more intensely than pain elsewhere in the body. This stronger reaction encourages greater protection of an area, which contain structures vital for survival,…
-
Investigating the role of the kynurenine pathway in irreversible pulpitis
The kynurenine pathway is responsible for the catabolism of the essential amino acid kynurenine. This pathway has been linked to acute and chronic pain in animal models of viral infections. Research by the team has shown upregulation of this pathway in pulpititis (toothache) and it appears to be pushing the pathway towards neuroinflammation and pain. This project therefore looks to examine the kynurneine pathway as a means to therapeutic reduce the pain experienced during toothache and potentially persistent pain which can follow. 2. There is an absence of topically applied medications for use in managing dental pain. Much of this…
-
Can we improve pain education using experiential methods?
The way that people understand pain is important. Typically, believing that pain is caused only by physical factors and using only passive modalities of treatment are both associated with a poorer prognosis. Unfortunately, this is exactly what many people do believe about pain including some health professionals! A recent project carried out by students from the school of Psychology explored whether adding experiential methods could improve traditional methods of pain education. The study recruited 60 participants from the student and local communities. Each participant engaged in 3 learning activities about pain in a randomised order – watching an information video…
-
EXTIRPATE study: Irreversible Pulpitis
Dental pain mechanisms remain poorly understood. Outcomes from current approaches to managing acute dental pain are suboptimal. EXTIRPATE focusses on developing a biological model to better understand peripheral and central pain mechanisms, explore the effect of current approaches on these mechanisms and investigate new treatment approaches.
Our work is funded by
