Department of Basic & Clinical Translational Sciences

The Department of Basic and Clinical Translational Sciences (BCTS) is committed to leading advances in health through pioneering research and clinical excellence, transforming scientific discoveries into exceptional patient care. By seamlessly bridging bench to clinical innovation, we cultivate the next generation of dental leaders who excel in both scientific discovery and clinical expertise. Our commitment drives the development of groundbreaking therapeutics, preventive strategies, and personalized treatment approaches that enhance public health, elevate quality of life, and effectively meet the needs of diverse communities.

BCTS advances scientific knowledge through rigorous research, innovative teaching, exceptional patient care and community engagement. We will foster a superior collaborative culture to address the complexities of human health and disease to improve clinical outcomes. We will contribute to scientific discovery and address global challenges through innovative and interdisciplinary collaboration, public outreach, and outstanding patient care.

Department overview

Department Leadership: Russell Taichman

Related Divisions: Dental Research Administration

Internal resources for dept. members: Box (login required)

Education

BCTS is actively involved in educational programs at TUSDM and other Tufts schools through teaching and mentoring of students, residents, postdoctoral scholars and junior faculty in basic, translational and clinical sciences.

Core facilities/services

Sadaf Foroutanjazi, IS21, DMD21, discusses a research project during The annual Bates Day 2020 presentations at the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.

Research focus areas

As a teaching institution we also focus on educating future dentists and faculty members offering the ability to critically assess AI models, understand their context, and apply them effectively in dentistry. Our commitment is to ensure that AI-driven advancements enhance patient care while maintaining transparency, reproducibility, auditability, safety and trust. The Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at the TUSDM Department of Public Health and Community Service is committed to advancing data sciences and artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare, dental education, research, and clinical practice.
Investigators:
- Carlos Fernando Mourão
- Zoe Zhu
The main focuses of the Division of Oral Biology lab include:
- Gene expression and regulation in bone formation and tooth development
- Stem cells and transcription factors in bone tissue engineering and regeneration
- Translational studies including bone metastasis of breast cancer cells
- Bisphosphonates associated osteonecrosis of the jaws
- Osseointegration studies
Investigators:
Research in the department focuses on identifying the research in the molecular mechanisms that regulate how the bone marrow functions in both health and disease states with a particular focus on hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), mesenchymal stemn cells (MSCs) home, localize and engage the bone marrow microenvironment or "niche" for survival, function and protection from injury. Current studies focus on how the niche is usurped by disseminated tumor cells (DTCs). In particular, we study the Intrinsic and extrinsic signals and mechanisms whereby DTCs remain dormant and reawaken to cause lethal disease.

Additional areas of investigation include the identification of cancer biomarkers, analysis of tumor heterogeneity, mapping of cancer-associated pathways, and investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying tumor initiation, progression, and drug resistance.

Investigators:
Members of the BCTS department employ integrative computational approaches including big data analytics, machine learning, and systems modeling to understand dental pathologies (caries, periodontal disease) and cancer biology at the molecular, cellular, and systems levels. The group works with large-scale omics datasets (e.g., genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) to develop predictive and diagnostic tools that can support precision medicine and novel therapies.
Investigators:
Research in the Division of Craniofacial & Molecular Genetics focuses on mineralized tissue (e.g., bones, cartilage, teeth) development, homeostasis, disease, and regeneration. Craniofacial, dental, and skeletal diseases affect large percentages of the population and are a serious health concern, including >1/700 live births, and in aged populations. Research models in the Division include 3D tissue-engineering models, in vivo rodent, rabbit and mini pig models, and genetic zebrafish models for human mineralized tissue diseases.
Investigators:
The division is known for its research on exocrine gland biology and function.
Sjögren’s Syndrome: Dry Mouth and Dry Eye
The division is known for its research on Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects between 1 and 4 million people in the United States, with nine times greater Incidence in women than in men. It is characterized by a lymphocytic infiltration of salivary and lacrimal glands resulting in decreased tears and saliva, burning mouth, and the involvement of other organs and systems in the body.

Sjögren's syndrome is a disease that attacks the body's moisture-producing glands, causing tooth decay, gum disease, and other problems. Our research activities include the identification of biomarkers for the disease, research on the effect of omega 3 fatty acids on salivation, assessment of cognitive dysfunction associated with Sjogren's syndrome, and we are conducting numerous FDA Phase II-IV clinical trials to identify potential therapeutic interventions.
Lacrimal Glands
Lacrimal glands are essential for producing tears. With aging and other disease states, lacrimal glands undergoes structural changes leading to impaired secretion. Our studies focus on the molecular, immune and structural changes which occur during normal physiology and in pathologic states.
Sweat Glands
Sweat glands play a critical role in skin physiology by regulating heat and fluid balance through sweat secretion. Their function can influence the skin’s local microenvironment which may affect cellular interactions within the dermis and epidermis. Understanding sweat gland function offers insights into the broader context of skin biology and potential metabolic vulnerabilities.

Investigators:
Infection plays a key role in dental diseases, as pathogenic bacteria colonize the oral cavity and form biofilms on teeth and gums, leading to conditions such as dental caries and periodontal disease. The immune system responds to these infections by deploying both innate and adaptive defense mechanisms to limit bacterial growth and tissue damage.
Investigators:
Oral health is essential for the overall well-being of aging adults, yet significant disparities persist in the United States, contributing reduced quality of life, social isolation, and disease progression. Our department engages in clinical and population sciences, recognizing that oral health is essential for overall well-being but is marked by significant disparities.
Investigators:
Stem cell biology plays a pivotal role in craniofacial biology by providing insights into how undifferentiated stem cells can give rise to the complex tissues that form the craniofacial region. These cells have the potential to differentiate into bone, cartilage, nerves and dental tissues, making them essential for understanding both normal craniofacial development and the repair of congenital or acquired defects. Advances in stem cell research are paving the way for regenerative therapies aimed at restoring function and aesthetics in patients with craniofacial anomalies or injuries.
Investigators:
Departmental research focuses on providing experimental in vitro and in vivo three- dimensional (3D) human tissue models that recapitulate the complex tissue architecture and signaling networks present in human tissue in vivo. Through the fabrication and analysis of 3D tissues, we generate novel experimental paradigms that:
1. Enable investigation into the complex interplay between multiple cell and tissue types in biologically meaningful, 3D tissue context.
2. Provide a more comprehensive and global picture of how disease-associated pathways interact with their local microenvironment.
3. Serve as human, "pre-clinical" or "surrogate" tissues that set the stage for the translation of discoveries to the clinic through strategies that will allow target identification and validation in human tissues.
Investigators: