Funded Projects
Basic Science
Translational Research
Basic Science
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, BDS, 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
Neuro-inflammation and treatment in GM2 gangliosidosis
(NIH/NINDS R01 NSO48339)
The role of this project is to study the role of monocyte infiltration in the development of Tay-Sachs and Sandhoff disease as well as develop and test a novel gene therapy for its neonatal treatment.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D.
Does peripheral localized chronic inflammation predispose to neurodegeneration?
(NIH/NIA R21 AG028325)
The role of this project is to determine whether arthritis contributes to the development of Alzheimer's disease.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D.
Recombinant FIV vectors for the delivery of siRNA therapy to joints
(NIH/NIAMS/NGA R21 AR055035)
The role of this project is to evaluate the use of FIV vectors in the delivery of siRNA for the treatment of arthritis.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D.
Schmitt Foundation Research Award
Does peripheral arthritis contribute to Alzheimer's disease?
The role of this project is to determine whether arthritis contributes to the development of neurodegeneration in a double transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Principal Investigator: Stephanos Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D.
Translational
Research
Orthodontic Faculty Development Fellowship
The major goal of this project is to support the development of
the Principal Investigator in the area of Orthodontics and Craniofacial
development.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos
Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D
Perinatal Gene Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Diseases
Principal Investigator: Stephanos
Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D
Oral Health Surveillance
To conduct oral health surveillance of preschool and elementary
school children in collaboration with the Monroe County Department
of Health.
Principal Investigator: Ronald
Billings, DDS, MSD
The Role of Neuronal Funciton in Craniofacial Development
The goal of this project is to determine the role of the nervous
system in craniofacial development by constructing a novel inducible
expression system in mice that suffer from craniofacial dysostosis
and neuronal dysfunction.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos
Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D
Adaptation of Human Herpesvirus (HHV)-7 to Salivary Glands
The overall goal of this project is to develop an understanding
of the adaptations of HHV-7 that allow the virus to efficiently
infect, and persist in, salivary glands. The long-term objective
of these studies is to identify discrete molecular pathways which
can be exploited in the future design of enhanced gene delivery
vectors for salivary gland gene therapy. The specific aims are as
follows:
-
Elucidate the role of the unique glycoprotein, gp65, in cell
attachment and entry of HHV-7
-
Examine the molecular architecture of gp65, and its interaction
with host macromolecules
-
Determine whether the 7-transmembrane domain proteins, U12
and U51, encoded by HHV-7 can enhance cell-cell fusion mediated
by different viral proteins in cultured salivary gland cells
and in other cell types and to analyze the ability of U12 and
U51 to interact with fractalkine, RANTES and other chemokines.
Principal Investigator: Stephen
Dewhurst, Ph.D
Improving Clinical Outcome for Early Childhood Caries
R21 DE016280
This study is a clinical pilot data grant aimed at acquiring data
necessary for a U10 grant application. Its specific aims are to:
- Develop strategies to recruit and retain subjects for a phase
III clinical trial
- Develop response to dose data for an experimental antimicrobial
agent
Principal Investigator : Robert
Berkowitz, DDS
Early Childhood Caries Prevention
The goal of this project is to identify children 1-5 years of age
who are at high risk to develop early childhood caries and to facilitate
their access to dental care in collaboration with the Department
of Pediatrics and the New York State Department of Health
Principal Investigator: Ronald Billings,
DDS, MSD
Joint degeneration: Somatic mosaic analysis in a transgenic mouse
(NIH/NIDCR R21 DE017765)
The role of this project is to characterize a novel mouse model of temporomandibular joint disorders.
Principal Investigator: Stephanos Kyrkanides, DDS, MS, Ph.D
Health risks of Problem-Oriented Dental Attenders
Sponsor: NIH Award number: K23 DE016917
Principal Investigator:
Yan-Fang Ren, DDS, MD, Ph.D
Mercury Vapor from Amalgam and Methylmercury Co-Exposure on Neurodevelopment
Sponsor: NIH/NIEHS/NIDCR Award number: R01 ES015578
The aim of the project is to quantify the level of risk for adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes attributable to prenatal and postnatal co-exposure to mercury vapor from dental amalgam and methylmercury from fish consumption. This multinational collaborative project will capitalize on the availability of mothers and children participating in the well-characterized Seychelles Child Development Nutrition Study.
Principal Investigator:
Gene E. Watson II, DDS, MS, Ph.D.
Utility of Teledentistry to Reduce Oral Disease Burden in Preschool Children
Sponsor: NIH Award number : K23 DE017230
In this research project, we explore Teledentistry, a novel approach that uses an intraoral camera to image teeth and tooth surfaces. To determine if Teledentistry is useful in reducing oral disease burden in preschool inner city children, an intervention study will be conducted in selected inner city childcare centers that are participating in Health-e-Access project.
Principal Investigator:
Dorota Kopycka-Kedzierawski DDS, MPH
Laboratory of Molecular Microbial
Immunity
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