Associate Professor Geoffrey Tompkins

Position	Associate Professor
Department	Department of Oral Sciences
Qualifications	BSc PhD PGDipSci (Otago)
Research summary	Dental molecular microbiology

Research

As a microbiologist employed in the Faculty of Dentistry, Associate Professor Tompkins' research is focused on dental microbiology. Much of his research involves providing microbiological support in collaborative studies with clinicians undertaking applied research, because most of our postgraduate students are involved in clinical (or translational) research (and do not have the background and training for more fundamental microbiology research). As such, Associate Professor Tompkins' research platform is highly varied, having been involved in dental forensics, endodontic, implant, restorative and proprietary (AgResearch) research. His work on bite mark analysis (forensics) is recognised internationally to the point that he has twice been invited to contribute to what is currently regarded as the definitive publication in the field; the significance of his bite mark research was acknowledged in The Lancet (2006). A more recent publication describing a convenient and rapid method to quantify bacterial survival in dentinal tubules following endodontic treatment promises a significant technical advance in the field.

Publications

Zhao, R., Wang, T., Yang, R., Adam, L. A., Zaharic, T., Loch, C., Tompkins, G. R., & Cooper, P. R. (2022). Enhancing the student learning experience: Co-teaching biochemistry and clinical sciences within the dental curriculum. Biochemistry & Molecular Biology Education. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1002/bmb.21701

Salem, A. S., Tompkins, G. R., & Cathro, P. R. (2022). Alkaline tolerance and biofilm formation of root canal isolates of Enterococcus faecalis: An in vitro study. Journal of Endodontics. Advance online publication. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2022.01.006

Allen, L. L., Heng, N. C. K., & Tompkins, G. R. (2021). Streptococcus salivarius isolates of varying acid tolerance exhibit F₁F₀-ATPase conservation [Brief report]. Caries Research, 55, 288-291. doi: 10.1159/000516175

Porter, G. C., Safii, S. H., Medlicott, N. J., Duncan, W. J., Tompkins, G. R., & Coates, D. E. (2021). Formulation of a semisolid emulsion containing Leptospermum scoparium essential oil and evaluation of in vitro antimicrobial and antibiofilm efficacy. Planta Medica, 87, 253-266. doi: 10.1055/a-1330-8765

Porter, G. C., Schwass, D. R., Tompkins, G. R., Bobbala, S. K. R., Medlicott, N. J., & Meledandri, C. J. (2020). AgNP/Alginate Nanocomposite hydrogel for antimicrobial and antibiofilm applications. Carbohydrate Polymers, 251, 117017. doi: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2020.117017

Tompkins, G. R. (2011). Genotypic comparison of bacterial DNA recovered from bitemarks and teeth. In R. B. J. Dorion (Ed.), Bitemark evidence: A color atlas and text. (2nd ed.) Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Aziz, A., Parmar, D., McNaughton, A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2010). Bacterial viability determination in a dentinal tubule infection model by confocal laser scanning microscopy. In G. J. Seymour, M. P. Cullinan & N. C. K. Heng (Eds.), Oral Biology. (pp. 141-150). New York: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-1-60761-820-1_10

Chapter in Book - Research

Tompkins, G. R. (2005). Genotypic comparison of oral bacteria isolated from bitemarks and teeth. In R. B. J. Dorion (Ed.), Bitemark evidence. (pp. 593-599). New York, NY, USA: Marcel Dekker.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Perry, S. E., Huckabee, M.-L., Tompkins, G., & Milne, T. (2020). The association between oral bacteria, the cough reflex and pneumonia in patients with acute stroke and suspected dysphagia. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation, 47, 386-394. doi: 10.1111/joor.12903

Journal - Research Article

Porter, G. C., Tompkins, G. R., Schwass, D. R., Li, K. C., Waddell, J. N., & Meledandri, C. J. (2020). Anti-biofilm activity of silver nanoparticle-containing glass ionomer cements. Dental Materials, 36, 1096-1107. doi: 10.1016/j.dental.2020.05.001

Journal - Research Article

Chew, M., Tompkins, G., Tawse-Smith, A., Waddell, N., & Ma, S. (2018). Reusing titanium healing abutments: Comparison of two decontamination methods. International Journal of Prosthodontics, 31(6), 613-618. doi: 10.11607/ijp.5881

Journal - Research Article

Schwass, D. R., Lyons, K. M., Love, R., Tompkins, G. R., & Meledandri, C. J. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of a colloidal AgNP suspension demonstrated in vitro against monoculture biofilms: Toward a novel tooth disinfectant for treating dental caries. Advances in Dental Research, 29(1), 117-123. doi: 10.1177/0022034517736495

Journal - Research Article

Hsu, B., Lee, S., Schwass, D., & Tompkins, G. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of chemomechanical gingival retraction products. Journal of the American Dental Association, 148(7), 493-499. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2017.03.006

Journal - Research Article

Kim, K. H., Loch, C., Waddell, J. N., Tompkins, G., & Schwass, D. (2017). Surface characteristics and biofilm development on selected dental ceramic materials. International Journal of Dentistry, 2017, 7627945. doi: 10.1155/2017/7627945

Journal - Research Article

Safii, S. H., Tompkins, G. R., & Duncan, W. J. (2017). Periodontal application of Manuka honey: Antimicrobial and demineralising effects In Vitro. International Journal of Dentistry, 2017, 9874535. doi: 10.1155/2017/9874535

Journal - Research Article

Tawse-Smith, A., Atieh, M. A., Tompkins, G., Duncan, W. J., Reid, M. R., & Stirling, C. H. (2016). The effect of piezoelectric ultrasonic instrumentation on titanium discs: A microscopy and trace elemental analysis in vitro study. International Journal of Dental Hygiene, 14(3), 191-201. doi: 10.1111/idh.12142

Journal - Research Article

Tawse-Smith, A., Khosa, A., Kamel, M. S., Duncan, W. J., Swain, M., & Tompkins, G. (2014). Bacterial colonization of titanium discs: A pilot study for evaluating implant surface deterioration. Brazilian Journal of Periodontology, 24(1), 14-23.

Journal - Research Article

Wong, S., Mundy, L., Chandler, N., Upritchard, J., Purton, D., & Tompkins, G. (2014). Antibacterial properties of root canal lubricants: A comparison with commonly used irrigants. Australian Endodontic Journal, 40, 111-115. doi: 10.1111/aej.12075

Journal - Research Article

Russell, A. A., Chandler, N. P., Hauman, C., Siddiqui, A. Y., & Tompkins, G. R. (2013). The butterfly effect: An investigation of sectioned roots. Journal of Endodontics, 39(2), 208-210. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.09.016

Journal - Research Article

Aziz, A., Chandler, N. P., Hauman, C. H. J., Leichter, J. W., McNaughton, A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2012). Infection of apical dentin and root-end cavity disinfection. Journal of Endodontics, 38(10), 1387-1390. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2012.06.034

Journal - Research Article

Hsu, L., Power, D., Upritchard, J., Burton, J., Friedlander, R., Horswell, J., … Kieser, J., & Tompkins, G. (2012). Amplification of oral streptococcal DNA from human incisors and bite marks. Current Microbiology, 65(2), 207-211. doi: 10.1007/s00284-012-0148-x

Journal - Research Article

Kennedy, D. M., Stanton, J.-A. L., García, J. A., Mason, C., Rand, C. J., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2012). Microbial analysis of bite marks by sequence comparison of streptococcal DNA. PLoS ONE, 7(12), e51757. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0051757

Journal - Research Article

Matejka, K. M., Bremer, P. J., Tompkins, G. R., & Brooks, H. J. L. (2012). Antibiotic susceptibility of Moraxella catarrhalis biofilms in a continuous flow model. Diagnostic Microbiology & Infectious Disease, 74, 394-398. doi: 10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2012.08.021

Journal - Research Article

Peters, N., Tawse Smith, A., Leichter, J., & Tompkins, G. (2012). Laser therapy: The future of peri-implantitis management. Brazilian Journal of Periodontology, 222(1), 26-33.

Journal - Research Article

Parmar, D., Hauman, C. H. J., Leichter, J. W., McNaughton, A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2011). Bacterial localization and viability assessment in human ex vivo dentinal tubules by fluorescence confocal laser scanning microscopy. International Endodontic Journal, 44(7), 644-651. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2011.01867.x

Journal - Research Article

Power, D. A., Cordiner, S. J., Kieser, J. A., Tompkins, G. R., & Horswell, J. (2010). PCR-based detection of salivary bacteria as a marker of expirated blood. Science & Justice, 50(2), 59-63. doi: 10.1016/j.scijus.2009.04.006

Journal - Research Article

Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2007). Competence-dependent bacteriocin production by Streptococcus gordonii DL1 (Challis). Journal of Bacteriology, 189(4), 1468-1472.

Journal - Research Article

Heng, N. C. K., Tagg, J. R., & Tompkins, G. R. (2006). Identification and characterization of the loci encoding the competence-associated alternative σ factor of Streptococcus gordonii. FEMS Microbiology Letters, 259(1), 27-34.

Journal - Research Article

Kieser, J., Tompkins, G., Buckingham, D., Firth, N. A., & Swain, M. (2005). Bitemarks: Presentation, analysis, and evidential reliability. Forensic Pathology Reviews, 3, 157-179.

Journal - Research Article

Rahimi, M., Heng, N. C. K., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2005). Genotypic comparison of bacteria recovered from human bite marks and teeth using arbitrarily primed PCR. Journal of Applied Microbiology, 99, 1265-1270.

Journal - Research Article

Khalessi, A. M., Pack, A. R. C., Thomson, W. M., & Tompkins, G. R. (2004). An in vivo study of the plaque control efficacy of Persica™: A commercially available herbal mouthwash containing extracts of Salvadora persica. International Dental Journal, 54(5), 279-283.

Journal - Research Article

Borgula, L. M., Robinson, F. G., Rahimi, M. A., Chew, K. E. K., Birchmeier, K. R., Owens, S. G., Kieser, J. A., & Tompkins, G. R. (2003). Isolation and genotypic comparison of oral streptococci from experimental bitemarks. Journal of Forensic Odonto-Stomatology, 21(2), 23-30.

Journal - Research Article

Thomson, W. M., Edwards, S. J., Dobson-Le, D. P., Tompkins, G. R., Poulton, R., Knight, D. A., … Braithwaite, A. W. (2001). IL-1 genotype and adult periodontitis among young New Zealanders. Journal of Dental Research, 80, 1700-1703.

Journal - Research Article

Tompkins, G. R., O'Dell, N. L., Bryson, I. T., & Pennington, C. B. (2001). The effects of dietary ferric iron and iron deprivation on the bacterial composition of the mouse intestine. Current Microbiology, 43, 38-42.

Journal - Research Article

Calderone, R., Suzuki, S., Cannon, R., Cho, T., Boyd, D., Calera, J., … Holmes, A., Jeng, H.-W., … O'Sullivan, J. M., … Tompkins, G. R., & Watanabe, T. (2000). Candida albicans: Adherence, signalling and virulence. Medical Mycology, 38(Suppl. 1), 125-137.

Journal - Research Article

Simmonds, R. S., Tompkins, G. R., & George, R. J. (2000). Dental caries and the microbial ecology of dental plaque: A review of recent advances. New Zealand Dental Journal, 96, 44-49.

Journal - Research Article

Knoernschild, K. L. L., Tompkins, G. R., Schuster, G. S., Lefebvre, C. A., & Russell, C. M. (1997). Effect of treatment concentration on lipopolysaccharide affinity for two alloys. Dental Materials, 13(2), 111-117.

Journal - Research Article

Tompkins, G. R., Peavey, M. A. A., Birchmeier, K. R., & Tagg, J. R. (1997). Bacteriocin production and sensitivity among coaggregating and non-coaggregating oral streptococci. Oral Microbiology & Immunology, 12(2), 98-105.

Journal - Research Article

Tompkins, G. R., Wood, D. P., & Birchmeier, K. R. (1997). Detection and comparison of specific hemin binding by Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia. Journal of Bacteriology, 179(3), 620-626.

Journal - Research Article

Journal - Research Other

Pardesi, B., & Tompkins, G. R. (2015). Colony polymerase chain reaction of heme-accumulating bacteria [Note]. Anaerobe, 32, 49-50. doi: 10.1016/j.anaerobe.2014.11.013

Journal - Research Other

Cannon, R. D., & Tompkins, G. R. (2006). Improving the effectiveness of chlorhexidine. New Zealand Dental Journal, 102(1), 17.

Journal - Research Other

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Associate Professor Geoffrey Tompkins

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