Biofilms, Apatite and Microbiomes Lab (B-A-M Lab)
PI: Robert S. Jones
The BAM lab explores how to augment current topical-based strategies to reduce biofilm coverage or mitigate the effects of biofilms exposed to sucrose. The lab collaborates on several projects related to caries, biomaterials and pediatric oral health.
Hard Tissue Research Laboratory (HTRL)
PI: Hari S. Prasad
Collaborating with corporate, educational and governmental research programs, the HTRL studies bone implants, bone grafting materials and techniques and bone augmentation.
Laboratory of Oral Mucosal Immunity (LOMI)
PI: Drake Williams
The Laboratory of Oral Mucosal Immunity (LOMI) is interested in understanding how immune cells in the oral mucosa contribute to oral mucosal homeostasis and disease pathogenesis. In the lab, we use systems immunology and advanced imaging to probe and characterize the oral barrier in health and inflammatory conditions.
The K. Mansky Lab
PI: Kim Mansky
Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells responsible for bone resorption through the secretion of acid and proteolytic enzymes. Deciphering the molecular mechanisms that govern osteoclast activity is essential for addressing bone loss associated with both normal physiological remodeling and inflammatory conditions such as periodontal disease and arthritis. Epigenetic modifications play a pivotal role in regulating gene expression by altering chromatin accessibility and influencing transcriptional machinery. These reversible changes to DNA structure are central to the concept of gene expression regulation. The Mansky lab is interested in understanding a form of epigenetic memory, or trained innate immunity which offers a protection against infections and malignancies.
The Artinger Lab
PI: Kristin Artinger
The Artinger lab is a highly collaborative research laboratory that is focused on understanding of the molecular and genetic mechanisms involved in the development of the neural crest. Neural crest cells are born at the neural plate border, and have the extraordinary ability to retain stem cell-like characteristics. Once specified, they migrate through the embryo and give rise to a diverse array of derivatives, including peripheral neurons and glia, pigment cells and craniofacial cartilage, which form most of the vertebrate face. Thus, the neural crest is an attractive model system to study the gene regulatory networks involved in cell fate determination, migration, differentiation and in disease.
If a faculty member would like their lab to be listed, please contact [email protected] and [email protected].