From the use of Artificial Intelligence for the improvement of patient care, to studying oral health disparities across the country, to 3D human tissue modeling and beyond, our researchers are covering tremendous ground with their innovative work. With access to great minds, top-notch facilities, and a commitment to advancing knowledge, there is little our research community is not prepared to tackle.
Take a look at the key areas of focus we are working on today—and meet the outstanding people behind this work—and start thinking about what you might pursue next.
Areas of Research
As a teaching institution we focus on educating future dentists and faculty members on the application of new AI models, offering them the opportunity to critically assess, understand their context, and apply AI 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:
Our dental biomaterials capabilities support investigators across the full research lifecycle, from material design and synthesis to testing and translation. Specialized facilities enable evaluation of mechanical, chemical, physical, and biological properties relevant to dental and craniofacial applications. Investigators can assess material performance, durability, biocompatibility, and interactions with oral tissues under clinically relevant conditions. Our multidisciplinary expertise supports projects involving restorative materials, adhesives, ceramics, polymers, composites, implants, scaffolds, and drug-delivery systems. We collaborate with investigators to develop rigorous testing strategies, generate high-quality data, and advance promising technologies toward clinical use.
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 stem 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:
TUSDM is proud to champion oral health innovation through careful and thorough clinical research. With dedicated clinical research infrastructure for patient-centered dental and oral health innovation, TUSDM is experienced in conducting a wide-range of clinical trials, including caries detection and treatment, periodontitis, Sjogren’s syndrome, tooth whitening, oral cancer screening, salivary pH, dental implants, consumer product testing, and more.
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:
As the one of the largest dental schools in the country, opportunities to do research on dental education at TUSDM are endless. The breadth of dental education research spans topics such as innovative curriculum design, team-based learning, interdisciplinary clinical training, mindfulness practice, and transformative simulation and empathy training.
Investigators:
This 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.
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:
Our geriatric research capabilities support investigators in addressing the complex oral health needs of older adults across the full research lifecycle. Multidisciplinary expertise enables the study of age-related changes in oral tissues, chronic disease, medication effects, functional limitations, and access to dental care. Investigators can evaluate prevention strategies, treatments, technologies, and models of care designed to promote oral health, comfort, nutrition, and quality of life. Our collaborative environment supports clinical, translational, population-based, and health services research involving diverse older adult populations.
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 to 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.
Project SOCIAL: Social and Oral Care Integration Across the Lifespan is an innovative, interprofessional education program within this focus area, designed to address social drivers of health in clinical dental practice. Project SOCIAL is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration of the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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:
TUSDM 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:
- Enable investigation into the complex interplay between multiple cell and tissue types in biologically meaningful, 3D tissue context.
- Provide a more comprehensive and global picture of how disease-associated pathways interact with their local microenvironment.
- 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:
Our researchers are tackling a spectrum of challenges, from innovative dental materials to cutting-edge pharmaceuticals. We're blazing trails in tissue engineering, bone remodeling, and Sjogren’s syndrome. […] [T]he possibilities are limitless.
Research Publications
Shared knowledge strengthens our collective intelligence and pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. Search our database to find the latest publications stemming from our active research community. You can look for specific topics, faculty members, publishers, or other criteria to find what you need.