Mohammed Al-Mosawi
Contact & links
Biography
Dr Muhammad Al-Mowasi is a Lecturer in the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds, specialising in the structure, development, and functional behaviour of dental mineralised tissues.
His research focuses on enamel and dentine including how hierarchical organisation across multiple length scales influences mechanical properties, biological function and clinically relevant outcomes in dentistry.
He holds a PhD in Dental Physical Sciences from Queen Mary University of London, where his doctoral research developed a four-dimensional model of human enamel biomineralisation. This work combined experimental and analytical methods to assess crystallite organisation and mineral density distribution, with relevance to regenerative dentistry and biomaterials science.
Since joining the University of Leeds, his work has expanded into dentine hypersensitivity, particularly fluid dynamics within dentinal tubules and their role in pain transmission. He developed and applied advanced imaging techniques, including neutron radiography, to quantify dentine fluid flow and investigate mechanisms underlying hypersensitivity.
A main theme of his research is the combination of advanced imaging and materials characterisation techniques, including micro-CT, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD/EBSD), and neutron-based methods, to understand structure-function relationships in mineralised tissues.
His work is highly interdisciplinary, connecting dental science, materials engineering, and physical imaging methods. He is interested in applying insights from the structure of enamel and dentine to develop treatments and preventive measures that reduce demineralisation and improve the resilience of dental tissues.
Research
- Enamel and dentine biomineralisation and hierarchical structure-function relationships
- Mechanisms of dentine hypersensitivity and fluid transport in dentinal tubules
- Resistance of enamel to demineralisation and early caries processes
- Advanced imaging and characterisation of mineralised tissues
- Multiscale materials analysis of biological hard tissues
- Translational dental biomaterials and clinically relevant surface interactions
Research methods and approaches
My research combines experimental mineralised tissue science with advanced imaging and materials characterisation techniques. I apply micro-CT, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission Kikuchi diffraction (TKD/EBSD), and neutron radiography to investigate structural and functional properties of enamel and dentine across multiple length scales. These methods are complemented by quantitative image analysis and materials-based interpretation of biological hard tissues. I combine complementary imaging techniques to link nanoscale crystallographic organisation with macroscale functional behaviour in the context of demineralisation, remineralisation and fluid transport processes.
What are you looking for
I am looking for interdisciplinary collaborators in materials science, physics, engineering, and industrial R&D to develop translational methods to dental hard tissue protection and regeneration. I am interested in:
- Advanced imaging techniques for hard tissue characterisation
- Materials science and surface engineering expertise for biomimetic or protective dental materials
- Computational modelling and image analysis
- Industry partnerships focused on oral care formulations, biomaterials or diagnostic technologies
- Access to advanced imaging and analytical techniques
I am also interested in collaborations that connect enamel and dentine structure with translational outcomes, including preventive measures for demineralisation and novel approaches to treating dentine hypersensitivity.
Research discipline: Biological Sciences; Health Sciences; Physical Sciences
Cohort year: 2023
Programme: Crucible Programme