Skip to main content
Sharon Dewitt

Dr Sharon Dewitt

Lecturer

School of Dentistry

Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

Research theme

Oral and biomedical sciences

Research group

Matrix Biology and Tissue Repair

Research interests

The focus of my research is to identify the early cellular events that occur in disease processes such as arthritis. These early events can then be exploited as indicators of disease to enable early diagnosis and treatment; or as a means of manipulation and modification of the disease process.

Associated research within the School of Dentistry is focused on how extracellular matrix guides cellular responses in physiological processes but also how alterations in its constituents contribute to major diseases including arthritis.

Areas of expertise:

  • Calcium imaging
  • Confocal microscopy
  • Single cell Imaging
  • Neutrophil biology
  • Micromanipulation/Microinjection

Ongoing Projects:

  • Validation of a stem cell derived cartilage model for osteoarthritis research and drug screening
  • Role of sensor protein in development of osteoarthritis
  • Investigating a candidate biomarker of osteoarthritis: Role in pathogenesis and efficacy to diagnose disease
  • Evaluating of inactivation of signalling networks by EBC-46 in head and neck cancer
  • Determining the role of ADAM15 in Head and Neck and other cancers
  • Novel cancer drug regulates disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) activity in Head and Neck cancer
  • Identifying a utility for dentally derived extracellular vesicles to restore impaired bone healing associated with age-related systemic conditions
  • Control of the surface topology of human neutrophils

Publication

2024

2022

2020

2019

2017

2015

2014

2013

2011

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2004

2003

2002

Adrannau llyfrau

Erthyglau

Teaching

Dr Dewitt is involved in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. She teaches on the Year 2 BDS Oral Ecosystems course, and leads lectures, practicals and Team-based learning sessions focussed around the early stages of tooth development.

Dr Dewitt is deputy leader of the MSc Oral Biology course, and leads one of the modules, 'Stem cells, Regenerative Medicine & Scientific Methods'. This module covers the cellular biology of stem cells from various sources, and their application for tissue repair and regeneration purposes, as well the laboratory techniques that are typically used to investigate such processes.

Biography

Career profile

1999: First degree in Pharmacology, UWCM

2003: PhD from the University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff (Phagocytosis by Neutrophils: The Roles of Ca2+)

2004;   2010: Wellcome Trust funded Postdoctoral role in the Neutrophil Signalling Group, Cardiff University to investigate the mechanisms of neutrophil function; Awarded a Wellcome Trust VIP award to further research in neutrophil phagocytosis. Successful co-applicant of a Wellcome Trust grant, investigating the role of calpain in the control of phagocytosis by neutrophils (with Prof. MB Hallett).
Successful co-applicant for a PhD studentship awarded by the MRC and British Lung Foundation as part of the MRC Capacity Building Studentship Competition (with Prof. MB Hallett).

2010: ARC Cardiff Academic Fellowship (Cardiff University, School of Dentistry) working with Prof Aeschlimann and the ARCBBC (now the 'Biomechanics and Bioengineering Research Centre Versus Arthritis') team, to develop biomarker assays that predict pathology, pain, inflammation and changes in joint function in musculoskeletal diseases

2015: Appointment to Lecturer in School of Dentistry, Cardiff University

Teaching profile

Postgraduate supervision:

PhD Supervision:

  • Validation of a stem cell derived cartilage model for osteoarthritis research and drug screening
  • Role of sensor protein in development of osteoarthritis
  • Investigating a candidate biomarker of osteoarthritis: Role in pathogenesis and efficacy to diagnose disease
  • Novel cancer drug regulates disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) activity in Head and Neck cancer
  • Determining the role of ADAM15 in Head and Neck and other cancers

Undergraduate teaching:

Yr 2 BDS: Oral Ecosystems  
Deputy course leader, lectures/practicals in:

Tooth Development                
Dentine Structure                
Dentine physiology and sensitivity                
Dentine Structure & Dentine Pulp Complex (practical)                
Amelogenesis (practical)                
Enamel Structure                

Postgraduate teaching:

MSc Oral Biology, DET066:Tissue Repair, Regeneration and Scientific Methods              
Module leader, lectures, practical in:

Analysis of a Research Paper
Use of Antibodies in Research
Principles of Microscopy
Confocal microscopy (practical)

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising research students in the following areas:

- Novel biomarkers for arthritis
- In vitro cartilage tissue engineering to model arthritis
- Modulation of neutrophil signalling and behaviour

Current supervision

Taqwa Abusalem

Taqwa Abusalem

Research student