Neurogenic inflammation

• The role of neuropeptides in periodontal and pulpal inflammation

Examining the inter-relationships between neuropeptide and cytokine levels in vivo and in vitro

• Protease Activated Receptors (PARs) and Transient Receptor Potential (TRP) channels

Determining the presence of PARs and TRPs in oral tissue and assessing their activation using functional assays. (In collaboration with the Université de la Méditerranée, France).

• Bioactivity profiling of neuropeptides

Investigating the neuro-immune connection by determining novel immunomodulatory actions of neuropeptides

 Peptide expression profiling in oral disease

• Peptide expression profiles in GCF and saliva

Identifying novel peptides in GCF, particularly those with antimicrobial properties.

• Antimicrobial properties of engineered defensins

Determining the antimicrobial and cytotoxic effects of truncated alpha defensins on oral pathogens and oral cells in vitro.

 Research students

 Derek Lockhart (PhD student)

 Measures of Esteem

• Winner of the prestigious Innovation in Oral Care Award (2007) sponsored by the International Association for Dental Research and GlaxoSmithKline. Awarded at the 85th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research, New Orleans, USA

•  Member of the Scientific Advisory Board Journal of Endodontics (Official journal of the American Association of Endodontists

• Treasurer of the Irish Division of the International Association for Dental Research

1. Killough, S, Lundy FT, Irwin CR. (2009) Substance P expression by human dental pulp fibroblasts - a potential role in neurogenic inflammation. Journal of Endodontics, 35,73-77.
   
2. Lundy FT, El Karim IA, Linden GJ. (2008) Neuropeptide Y and NPY Y1 receptor in periodontal health and disease. Archives of Oral Biology 200, 11-16.
   
3. El Karim IA, Linden GJ, Orr DF, Lundy FT. (2008) Antimicrobial activities of neuropeptides against a range of micro-organisms from skin, oral, respiratory and gastrointestinal tract sites. Journal of Neuroimmunology, 200, 11-16.
   
4. El Karim IA, Lamey P-J, Linden GJ, Lundy FT. (2008) Neuropeptide Y Y1 receptor in human dental pulp samples of noncarious and carious teeth. International Endodontic Journal 41, 850-855.
   
5. Lundy FT, Nelson J, Lockhart D, Greer B, Harriott P, Marley JJ. (2008) Antimicrobial activity of truncated alpha defensin (human neutrophil peptide (HNP-1) analogues without disulphide bridges. Molecular Immunology 45, 190-193.
   
6. McKeown STW, Barnes JJ, Hyland PL, Lundy FT, Fray MJ, Irwin CR. (2007) Matrix metalloproteinase-3 differences in oral and skin fibroblasts. Journal of Dental Research 86, 457-462.
   
7. El Karim I, Lamey P-J, Ardill J, Linden GJ, Lundy FT. (2006)Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and VPAC1 receptor in adult human dental pulp in relation to caries. Archives of Oral Biology 51 , 849-855.
   
8. Lundy FT, O’Hare MMT, McKibben BM, Fulton CR, Briggs, JE, Linden GJ. (2006) Radioimmunoassay quantification of adrenomedullin in human gingival crevicular fluid. Archives of Oral Biology 51, 334-338.
   
9. Shannon DB, McKeown STW, Lundy FT, Irwin CR. (2006) Phenotypic difference between oral and skin fibroblasts in wound contraction and growth factor expression. Wound Repair and Regeneration 14, 172-178.
   
10. McKeown STW, Lundy FT, Nelson J, Lockhart D, Irwin CR, Cowan CG, Marley JJ. (2006) The cytotoxic effects of human neutrophil peptides-1 (HNP1) and lactoferrin on oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in vitro.  Oral Oncology 42, 685-690.

External Grant Funding (RAE period)

• Lundy FT The expression and functionality of antimicrobial peptides in the gingival crevice in type 1 diabetes Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (2009) £18,957
  
• El Karim IA, Lundy FT, Curtis T Molecular mechanisms underlying thermally induced dental pain: A role for thermo TRP channels in human odontoblasts British Endodontic Society (2009) £5000
  
• Lundy FT, Marley JJ £55, 703 Does Ultrasound treatment for patients with post radiotherapy dry mouths improve salivation? WJ Moore Trust (2008) £55,703 
  
• Lundy FT $75,000 IADR/GSK Characterisation of a novel calcitonin gene-related peptide cleavage enzyme. IADR/GSK Innovation in Oral Care Award (2007)
  
• Lundy FT, Marley JJ, Nelson J  Department for Employment and Learning (2005) £50,500 A study of the cytolytic, oncolytic and antimicrobial effects of human alpha defensins.
  
• Lundy FT The Royal Society (2004) £14,800 Carboxypeptidase degradation of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).
  
• Marley JJ, Lundy FT, Irwin CR. WJ Moore Trust (2003) £64,750 How do human neutrophil peptides kill tumour cells?
  
• Linden GJ, Lundy FT. Unilever Research (2001) £28,514 An extended experimental gingivitis study to investigate biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid and determine their correlation with clinical indices of disease.