University of Birmingham Creates New Dental and Biomaterials Testing Service

University of Birmingham Enterprise has launched the Birmingham Dental and Biomaterials Testing Service (BiMaTs), an initiative to provide consultancy and a materials testing service for dental and biomaterial manufacturers.  
 
BiMaTs is co-founded by internationally recognised academic researchers and Professors Josette Camilleri and Will Palin. The consultancy element will be key to BiMaTs, which will offer a range of services to assess the mechanical and physical properties of materials and the biological properties of material-tissue interfaces, including developing protocols that are specific to the needs of individual clients. 
 
BiMaTs has been set up as using a unique model of commercialization known as an Operating Division, which allows industry rapid access to flexible, cutting-edge services based on Birmingham’s academic expertise.   
 
Camilleri, aprofessor of Endodontics and Applied Materials at the University of Birmingham, U.K., has an international ranking both as a clinical researcher and as a materials scientist, is an expert for British Standards Institution and International Standards Organization, and is well known for testing endodontic materials. She is also the chief Specialty Editor for Dental Materials in Frontiers in Dental Medicine, a senior editorial board member of Scientific Reports (Nature) and currently vice president-elect of the Dental Materials Group of the International Society of Oral and Dental Research, starting her presidency year in 2025. 

Co-founder Palin is professor and chair in biomedical materials science, and director of Research at the Birmingham’s School of Dentistry, whose research concentrates on developing novel biomaterials, medical devices, and technologies for bone, tooth and injury repair. He is well-known for significant work in dental polymer materials and related medical device development and photobiomodulation (using light to promote tissue healing). Palin is currently the editor of the European Journal of Prosthodontics and Restorative Dentistry and subject editor for Biomedical Adhesion for the International Journal of Adhesion and Adhesives.
 
The BiMaTs team has access to the world class laboratory space and wide range of equipment at the iniversity. The service will provide testing that closely replicates biomaterial use in clinical situations, as well as material characterisation, radiometry, thermography, assessment of endodontic sealer properties, microbiology, cell biology, and clinical assessment of instruments and materials.  

“Our bespoke methods and materials development expertise had already attracted interest from top tier companies. From discussion with existing collaborators, it was clear that there is a lack of testing centres that either offer a full suite of testing capability or that can execute and complete projects in a timely manner, so we decided to formalise our offering by setting up an Operating Division through University of Birmingham Enterprise,” Camilleri said. 
 
“We are now in a position to make our services available, so manufacturers can demonstrate the quality and efficacy of their products through rigorous and reliable testing and make informed decisions during product development,’ Palin added. “Our scientists and technicians will work closely with clients, to ensure accuracy, precision and swift completion of testing.”
 
The University of Birmingham is ranked amongst the world’s top 100 institutions, and its work brings people from across the world to Birmingham, including researchers and teachers and more than 6,500 international students from nearly 150 countries. University of Birmingham Enterprise helps researchers turn their ideas into new services, products and enterprises that meet real-world needs. It also provides incubation, and support innovators and entrepreneurs with mentoring, advice, and training, manage the University’s Academic Consultancy Service, and University of Birmingham Enterprise Operating Divisions.