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| Within the Department of Oral
Biology there are a wide variety of research interests among the
faculty. Research interests in the department range from molecular
biology, immunobiology, cell biology, biochemistry, education, tobacco,
and smoking cessation. Listed below are descriptions of the various
research activities. For further information contact the Department
of Oral Biology or click on the specific research activity which will take
you to the faculty home page. |
| Plasmid biology - plasmid
replication, partitioning, conjugation; recombinant DNA technology and
oral microbiology; Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans in
periodontal disease: identification and characterization of A.
actinomycetemcomitans virulence factors, interaction of A.
actinomycetemcomitans with human neutrophils. Dr.
Galli home page. |
Preventive - Tobacco and
Nicotine Tobacco-related research (conducted since
1981) specifically dealing with the use of NRT (nicotine replacement therapy)
products; clinical effects of NRT on oral tissues; physician/dentist
interventions to help patients quit using tobacco products; tobacco education
programs and symposiums for health care providers; efficacy and safety of Zyban
(buproprion HCL sustained release tablets) and other therapeutic substances as
aids to smoking cessation in treatment. Dr.
Christen home page. |
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Oral Microbiology - Novel Protein with Properties that
Inhibit Tooth Decay
Host-parasite relationships with emphasis on infectious diseases, mucosal
immunity and molecular biology of microbial pathogenesis.
Research tool for the measurement of mucosal antibodies for drug
investigating and antibody response to vaccines; in vitro microbial model
for studying caries formation; secretory IgA and serum IgA immunity in
HIV-1. Dr. Gregory home page
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| Infection Control - Primarily
development and validation of procedures, chemicals, and equipment
designed to control the spread of infectious disease agents. Efforts
concentrate on the development of special methodologies that can measure
microbial killing that occurs when performing a particular infection
control procedure. Various systems analyzed include disinfectants and
liquid sterilants; new models of steam and dry heat sterilizers; new
solutions for the chemical vapor sterilizer; infectious waste disposal
systems; dental handpiece sterilization systems; surgical instrument
washers/disinfectors; ultrasonic cleaning systems; spore-testing systems;
vacuum line cleaners; and new antimicrobial mouth rinses and denture
cleaners. Dr. Miller home page |
| Oral Biology - Potential
antimutagenic effects of various nutrients; effects of tobacco and
specific tobacco components upon various cell types, and nicotine
analyses. Influence of nicotine, nicotine metabolites and components of
tobacco and tobacco products upon various cell types, including growth,
metabolism and cytokines of cells. Dr.
Olson home page |
| Cell Biology - Research centers
on the elucidation of the mechanism(s) by which cells degrade the
extracellular matrix in healthy and diseased tissues. It is focused
largely on a group of zinc-dependent endopeptidases known as the matrix
metalloproteinases (MMPs). Collectively, these enzymes are capable of
cleaving most of the major components of the extracellular matrix and are
believed to be some of the tools by which cells facilitate the destruction
of the extracellular matrix. Dr.
Windsor home page |
Craniofacial Biology - Research
efforts are directed toward aspects of craniofacial growth and development
related to craniofacial morphology, particularly as related to
craniofacial malformations and their surgical correction. A second
area of research focuses on the prenatal development of dermatoglyphic
traits and their variation. Dr.
Babler home page |