Professor Paul Sharpe

Paul Sharpe studied Biology at York University and completed his PhD in Biochemistry at the University of Sheffield studying developmental biology of simple model organisms. After a period of postdoctoral research in Sheffield and Wisconsin USA, he moved to Cambridge to learn gene cloning techniques and where he first cloned mammalian homeobox genes. His first faculty position was as Lecturer at the University of Manchester where he established a large research group working on the role of homeobox genes in mammalian development. During this period he began his work on tooth development having cloned homeobox genes expressed during early tooth development.

Shortly after obtaining his Readership he accepted the Dickinson Chair of Craniofacial Biology at the King’s College London Dental Institute (a 5* research-rated department) and established a department specifically focussed on craniofacial developmental biology research. Since moving to London, Paul's research has focused exclusively on understanding the molecular control of tooth development and most recently this understanding is being applied to explore the development of tissue engineering approaches to create teeth for replacement in humans. Paul’s research has been published in the highest quality journals including Nature, Science and Cell. In 2004 he was awarded the Distinguished Scientist Award in Craniofacial Biology by the International Association for Dental Research.

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