Center for Oral Biology

Funded Projects

Adaptive mechanisms of oral streptococci in response to low pH

Studies focus on the regulation of the membrane, F-ATPase and the involvment of an inducible, recA-independent DNA repair system during acid-adaptation by Streptococcus mutans. Experimental approaches include both molecular and biochemical means to study the enzyme systems involved in acid-adaptation and the genetic regulation of the genes coding for the ATPase and repair proteins.

Contact: Robert Quivey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Microbiology & Immunology
The Center for Oral Biology
Robert_Quivey@urmc.rochester.edu

Cell surface glycoproteins and C. elegans development

Studies examine the expression of a family of glycosyltransferases that regulate O-glycosylation. Importance of cell surface O-linked sugars in development and cell function will be evaluated through RNA inhibition and gene knock-out methodologies. Expertise in developmental and molecular biology is required.

Contact: Fred Hagen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry & Biophysics
The Center for Oral Biology
Fred_Hagen@urmc.rochester.edu

Genetic Basis of Cleft Lip and Palate (NIH R01 DE015207)

This project is focused on identification of genes involved in cleft lip/palate pathogenesis through generation and characterization of transgenic or spontaneous mutant mouse models with cleft lip and cleft palate phenotypes.

Molecular Genetic Analysis of Craniofacial Development (NIH R01 DE013681)

This project investigates the molecular and cellular mechanisms of craniofacial and palatal development involving several key transcription factors, including Osr1, Osr2, and Tbx22. In addition, this project generates unique mouse resources for delineation of the molecular pathways regulating palate development using Cre/loxP-mediated tissue-specific genetic manipulation.

Oral Cleft Pathogenesis in a Mutant Mouse Model (NIH P50 DE016215)

This project involves comprehensive evaluation of the pathogenic developmental processes and gene-gene as well as gene-teratogen interactions in the Dancer mutant mouse model with cleft lip/palate.

Contact: Rulang Jiang, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biomedical Genetics
The Center for Oral Biology
Rulang_Jiang@urmc.rochester.edu

Glucosyltransferase as a Marker for Caries Activity (NIH R21 DE015564)

We will test saliva from either caries free children, or children with Early Childhood Caries, for Gtf (contributed by both mutans and non-mutans streptococci) by direct enzyme assay. We will also determine the quantity(ies)Ê of GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD of S. mutans in the subjects' saliva using monoclonal antibodies in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. We will then attempt to correlate the assayed activity of Gtf (from both mutans and non-mutan streptococci) with the concentrations of GtfB, GtfC and GtfD of S. mutans. Finally, we will determine whether we can correlate both the concentrations of GtfB, GtfC, and GtfD, and the overall assayed Gtf activity in saliva, with the current levels of clinical caries experience of the subjects. If successful in showing, in this first-step cross-sectional pilot study, a correlation between overall Gtf activity, or level of individual Gtfs in saliva, with caries prevalence, then the way might be open to explore in the future, in a second, longitudinal study, (separate from this proposal) whether Gtf in saliva can be used as a predictor of future caries development. Our eventual goal (in a future application) is to determine caries risk well before the onset of lesions and to identify those who are caries active short of cavitation or even white spot formation.

Contact: William Bowen, B.D.S., Ph.D.
Welcher Professor Emeritus of Dentistry
The Center for Oral Biology
Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology
Professor Emeritus of Environmental Health Sciences
William_Bowen@urmc.rochester.edu

Salivary Gland Development and Regeneration (NIH R21 DE017386)

Studies focus on (1) To identify a subpopulation of salivary gland cells which includes progenitor cells capable of reconstituting multiple salivary cell types. These experiments will test the hypothesis that duct cells include multipotent precursor cells that are suitable for repopulation of atrophic salivary glands and will establish optimal conditions for their cultivation. (2) Introduce cultured precursor cells into a damaged salivary gland, and establish an assay for the correct functioning of these cells.

Contact: Catherine Ovitt, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Biomedical Genetics
in the Center for Oral Biology
Catherine_Ovitt@urmc.rochester.edu

AaB Institute of Biomedical Sciences