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Contact Details

Phone
+64 3 479 7092
Email
george.dias@otago.ac.nz

University Links

Position
Professor
Department
Department of Anatomy
Qualifications
BDS (S Lanka) MS (Dental Surgery), PhD (Otago), Specialist in Dental Surgery PGIM (Colombo)
Research summary
Biomaterials, clinical anatomy and forensic science

Research

The main areas of interest are:

  1. A new bone substitute – currently used bone substitutes eg porous ceramics, hydroxyapatite, metals, and polymers (polylactic acid-polyglycolic acid) have certain disadvantages. Work is in progress to develop a new bone substitute from reconstituted keratin and metal alloys that are biodegradable.
  2. The overall programme goal is to create new biomedical devices combining reconstituted keratin, and a permanent material, such as titanium. The composite devices will create new opportunities for the use in dental and maxillo facial surgery and large bone/joint replacement or reconstruction in orthopedic surgery.
  3. This project will carry out in vitro and in vivo investigations to study the morphological and biological properties of TBC.
  4. Detailed anatomy – Work is in progress to investigate the origin of the auriculotemporal nerve and the morphology of the lateral pterygoid muscle.
  5. Work is in progress to improve the method of facial reconstruction on the skull in the field of forensics and archeology.

The work described in (a) and (b) is being carried out in collaboration with the Canesis Network Ltd and Dr Mark Staiger, University of Canterbury. The work described in (c) is carried out in collaboration with Dr Michael Mucalo, University of Waikato.

Publications

Subasinghe, S. K., Ogbuehi, K. C., Mitchell, L., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Morphological alterations of the cornea following Crosslinking Treatment (CXL). Clinical Anatomy, 34, 859-866. doi: 10.1002/ca.23728

Subasinghe, S. K., Ogbuehi, K. C., Mitchell, L., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Animal model with structural similarity to human corneal collagen fibrillar arrangement. Anatomical Science International, 96, 286-293. doi: 10.1007/s12565-020-00590-8

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Calcium-based ceramic biomaterials. In C. Wen (Ed.), Structural biomaterials: Properties, characteristics, and selection. (pp. 333-394). Duxford, UK: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818831-6.00011-2

Huang, J., Ratnayake, J., Ramesh, N., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Development and characterization of a biocomposite material from chitosan and New Zealand-sourced bovine-derived hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration. ACS Omega, 5, 16537-16546. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01168

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., Moratti, S. C., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Effect of chitosan infiltration on hydroxyapatite scaffolds derived from New Zealand bovine cancellous bones for bone regeneration. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 160, 1009-1020. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.269

Subasinghe, S. K., Ogbuehi, K. C., Mitchell, L., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Morphological alterations of the cornea following Crosslinking Treatment (CXL). Clinical Anatomy, 34, 859-866. doi: 10.1002/ca.23728

Journal - Research Article

Subasinghe, S. K., Ogbuehi, K. C., Mitchell, L., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Animal model with structural similarity to human corneal collagen fibrillar arrangement. Anatomical Science International, 96, 286-293. doi: 10.1007/s12565-020-00590-8

Journal - Research Article

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., & Dias, G. J. (2021). Calcium-based ceramic biomaterials. In C. Wen (Ed.), Structural biomaterials: Properties, characteristics, and selection. (pp. 333-394). Duxford, UK: Woodhead Publishing. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818831-6.00011-2

Chapter in Book - Research

Huang, J., Ratnayake, J., Ramesh, N., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Development and characterization of a biocomposite material from chitosan and New Zealand-sourced bovine-derived hydroxyapatite for bone regeneration. ACS Omega, 5, 16537-16546. doi: 10.1021/acsomega.0c01168

Journal - Research Article

Ramesh, N., Ratnayake, J. T. B., Moratti, S. C., & Dias, G. J. (2020). Effect of chitosan infiltration on hydroxyapatite scaffolds derived from New Zealand bovine cancellous bones for bone regeneration. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 160, 1009-1020. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2020.05.269

Journal - Research Article

Zhang, H., Birch, J., Ma, Z. F., Xie, C., Yang, H., Bekhit, A. E.-D., & Dias, G. (2019). Optimization of microwave-assisted extraction of bioactive compounds from New Zealand and Chinese Asparagus officinalis L. roots. Journal of Food Science & Technology, 56(2), 799-810. doi: 10.1007/s13197-018-3540-0

Journal - Research Article

Subasinghe, S. K., Ogbuehi, K. C., & Dias, G. J. (2018). Current perspectives on corneal collagen crosslinking (CXL). Graefe's Archive for Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 256(8), 1363-1384. doi: 10.1007/s00417-018-3966-0

Journal - Research Other

Dias, G. J., Mahoney, P., Hung, N. A., Sharma, L. A., Kalita, P., Smith, R. A., … Ali, A. (2017). Osteoconduction in keratin-hydroxyapatite composite bone-graft substitutes. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 105(7), 2034-2044. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33735

Journal - Research Article

Ajay Sharma, L., Love, R. M., Ali, M. A., Sharma, A., Macari, S., Avadhani, A., & Dias, G. J. (2017). Healing response of rat pulp treated with an injectable keratin hydrogel. Journal of Applied Biomaterials & Functional Materials, 15(3), e244-e250. doi: 10.5301/jabfm.5000346

Journal - Research Article

Ratnayake, J. T. B., Gould, M. L., Shavandi, A., Mucalo, M., & Dias, G. J. (2017). Development and characterization of a xenograft material from New Zealand sourced bovine cancellous bone. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 105(5), 1054-1062. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33644

Journal - Research Article

Ajay Sharma, L., Ali, M. A., Love, R. M., Wilson, M. J., & Dias, G. J. (2016). Novel keratin preparation supports growth and differentiation of odontoblast-like cells. International Endodontic Journal, 49(5), 471-482. doi: 10.1111/iej.12476

Journal - Research Article

Baillie, L. J., Muirhead, J. C., Blyth, P., Niven, B. E., & Dias, G. J. (2016). Position effect on facial soft tissue depths: A sonographic investigation. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 61(Suppl. 1), S60-S70. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12935

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., de Silva, R. K., Shah, T., Sim, E., Song, N., Colombage, S., & Cornwall, J. (2015). Multivariate assessment of site of lingual nerve. British Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery, 53(4), 347-351. doi: 10.1016/j.bjoms.2015.01.011

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Lal, N., Chandrasekera, M., & Cornwall, J. (2015). Identification of the posterior deep temporal nerve groove and canal, and its relationship to basicranial angle. Anatomical Science International, 90(4), 256-263. doi: 10.1007/s12565-014-0260-z

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Koh, J. M. C., & Cornwall, J. (2015). The origin of the auriculotemporal nerve and its relationship to the middle meningeal artery. Anatomical Science International, 90(4), 216-221. doi: 10.1007/s12565-014-0247-9

Journal - Research Article

Ajay Sharma, L., Sharma, A., & Dias, G. J. (2015). Advances in regeneration of dental pulp: A literature review. Journal of Investigative & Clinical Dentistry, 6(2), 85-98. doi: 10.1111/jicd.12064

Journal - Research Article

Baillie, L. J., Mirjalili, S. A., Niven, B. E., Blyth, P., & Dias, G. J. (2015). Ancestry and BMI influences on facial soft tissue depths for a cohort of Chinese and Caucasoid women in Dunedin, New Zealand. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 60(5), 1146-1154. doi: 10.1111/1556-4029.12799

Journal - Research Article

Walker, J., Shadanbaz, S., Woodfield, T. B. F., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2014). The in vitro and in vivo evaluation of the biocompatibility of Mg alloys. Biomedical Materials, 9, 015006. doi: 10.1088/1748-6041/9/1/015006

Journal - Research Article

Walker, J., Shadanbaz, S., Woodfield, T. B. F., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2014). Magnesium biomaterials for orthopedic application: A review from a biological perspective. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 102(6), 1316-1331. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.33113

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Perumal, V., Smith, C., & Cornwall, J. (2014). The relationship between jugular foramen asymmetry and superior sagittal venous sinus laterality. Anthropological Science, 122(2), 115-120. doi: 10.1537/ase.140615

Journal - Research Article

Shadanbaz, S., Walker, J., Woodfield, T. B. F., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2014). Monetite and brushite coated magnesium: In vivo and in vitro models for degradation analysis. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 25(1), 173-183. doi: 10.1007/s10856-013-5059-2

Journal - Research Article

Laird, D. F., Mucalo, M. R., & Dias, G. J. (2012). Vacuum-assisted infiltration of chitosan or polycaprolactone as a structural reinforcement for sintered cancellous bovine bone graft. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 100A(10), 2581-2592. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.34193

Journal - Research Article

Kirkland, N. T., Waterman, J., Birbilis, N., Dias, G., Woodfield, T. B. F., Hartshorn, R. M., & Staiger, M. P. (2012). Buffer-regulated biocorrosion of pure magnesium. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 23, 283-291. doi: 10.1007/s10856-011-4517-y

Journal - Research Article

Shadanbaz, S., & Dias, G. J. (2012). Calcium phosphate coatings on magnesium alloys for biomedical applications: A review. Acta Biomaterialia, 8, 20-30. doi: 10.1016/j.actbio.2011.10.016

Journal - Research Article

Walker, J., Shadanbaz, S., Kirkland, N. T., Stace, E., Woodfield, T., Staiger, M. P., & Dias, G. J. (2012). Magnesium alloys: Predicting in vivo corrosion with in vitro immersion testing. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 100B(4), 1134-1141. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.32680

Journal - Research Article

Nguyen, T. L., Staiger, M. P., Dias, G. J., & Woodfield, T. B. F. (2011). A novel manufacturing route for fabrication of topologically-ordered porous magnesium scaffolds. Advanced Engineering Materials, 13(9), 872-881. doi: 10.1002/adem.201100029

Journal - Research Article

Waterman, J., Pietak, A., Birbilis, N., Woodfield, T., Dias, G., & Staiger, M. P. (2011). Corrosion resistance of biomimetic calcium phosphate coatings on magnesium due to varying pretreatment time. Materials Science & Engineering: B, 176(20), 1756-1760. doi: 10.1016/j.mseb.2011.06.021

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Cook, R. B., & Mirhosseini, M. (2011). Influence of food consistency on growth and morphology of the mandibular condyle. Clinical Anatomy, 24(5), 590-598. doi: 10.1002/ca.21122

Journal - Research Article

Kirkland, N. T., Kolbeinsson, I., Woodfield, T., Dias, G. J., & Staiger, M. P. (2011). Synthesis and properties of topologically ordered porous magnesium. Materials Science & Engineering: B, 176(20), 1666-1672. doi: 10.1016/j.mseb.2011.04.006

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Mahoney, P., Swain, M., Kelly, R. J., Smith, R. A., & Ali, M. A. (2010). Keratin-hydroxyapatite composites: Biocompatibility, osseointegration, and physical properties in an ovine model. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 95A(4), 1084-1095. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.32908

Journal - Research Article

Ghosh, A., Ali, M. A., Selvanesan, L., & Dias, G. J. (2010). Structure-function characteristics of the biomaterials based on milk-derived proteins. International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, 46, 404-411. doi: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2010.02.011

Journal - Research Article

Oskam, C. L., Premachandra, I. M., & Dias, G. J. (2010). Bizygomatic breadth determination in damaged skulls. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 20(5), 540-548. doi: 10.1002/oa.1087

Journal - Research Article

Kirkland, N. T., Birbilis, N., Walker, J., Woodfield, T., Dias, G. J., & Staiger, M. P. (2010). In-vitro dissolution of magnesium-calcium binary alloys: Clarifying the unique role of calcium additions in bioresorbable magnesium implant alloys. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B, 95B(1), 91-100. doi: 10.1002/jbm.b.31687

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Peplow, P. V., McLaughlin, A., Teixeira, F., & Kelly, R. J. (2010). Biocompatibility and osseointegration of reconstituted keratin in an ovine model. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 92A(2), 513-520. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.32394

Journal - Research Article

Ghosh, A., Ali, M. A., & Dias, G. J. (2009). Effect of cross-linking on microstructure and physical performance of casein protein. Biomacromolecules, 10(7), 1681-1688. doi: 10.1021/bm801341x

Journal - Research Article

Wasterlain, S. N., & Dias, G. J. (2009). Amelogenesis imperfecta in an early 20th century population from central Portugal. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 19(3), 424-435. doi: 10.1002/oa.972

Journal - Research Article

Peplow, P. V., Dias, G. J., Teixeira, F., & Kelly, R. J. (2009). Tissue reaction to matrices of reconstituted keratin polymer implanted subcutaneously in sheep. Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part A, 89A(1), 255-265. doi: 10.1002/jbm.a.32038

Journal - Research Article

Pietak, A., Mahoney, P., Dias, G. J., & Staiger, M. P. (2008). Bone-like matrix formation on magnesium and magnesium alloys. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 19(1), 407-415. doi: 10.1007/s10856-007-3172-9

Journal - Research Article

Dennison, J., Mahoney, P., Herbison, P., & Dias, G. (2008). The false and the true bifid condyles. HOMO, 59, 149-159. doi: 10.1016/j.jchb.2008.02.001

Journal - Research Article

Dias, G. J., Prasad, K., & Santos, A. L. (2007). Pathogenesis of apical periodontal cysts: Guidelines for diagnosis in palaeopathology. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 17, 619-626.

Journal - Research Article

Dennison, K. J., & Dias, G. J. (2007). The posterior deep temporal nerve: Its relationship with the human cranial base. Clinical Anatomy, 20(2), 126-130.

Journal - Research Article

Cooper, K., Bennani, V., Tawse-Smith, A., Reid, M., Stirling, C., & Dias, G. (2013). Effect of a cordless retraction paste on titanium surface: A topographic, chemical and biocompatibility evaluation. Brazilian Oral Research, 27(3), 211-217.

Journal - Research Article

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