Introduction

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry, located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is renowned for its cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of dentistry. With a diverse range of labs and research areas, the School of Dentistry is at the forefront of advancing oral health care and promoting interdisciplinary collaboration to address complex challenges.

In this article, we will be exploring the different labs of the school, the research they are doing and how it is revolutionizing the field of health-tech and dentistry.

Bottino Lab

The Bottino Lab is a research group that focuses on developing novel regenerative-based therapeutics to treat dental issues using engineering tools, stem cell therapies, and biomaterial scaffolds. Led by Dr. Marco C. Bottino, their primary research thrusts involve periodontal regeneration, pulp regeneration, and prolonging the clinical success of adhesively bonded restorations.

In their first research thrust, the Bottino Lab uses nanotechnology and BioFabrication to develop biologically active biomaterial scaffolds for periodontal regeneration. They aim to engineer patient-specific scaffolds to amplify hard and soft tissue periodontal regeneration using 3D printing technologies. They refine the synthesis of bioactive scaffolds with therapeutic properties and technologies to achieve optimal results.

The second major research thrust of the Bottino Lab is focused on developing a localized, intracanal antimicrobial drug delivery strategy for predictable pulp regeneration. They also work on the synthesis of highly tunable injectable collagen scaffolds to encourage dentin and pulp regeneration. These approaches aim to treat necrotic immature permanent teeth and prolong the use of the natural dentition.

The third research thrust of the Bottino Lab is focused on prolonging the clinical success of adhesively bonded restorations. Their approach aims to enhance the longevity of adhesively bonded restorations.

Overall, the Bottino Lab is working towards the development of novel therapeutic approaches for dental issues using cutting-edge technologies and materials. Their research thrusts aim to address significant challenges faced in the field of dentistry, with the ultimate goal of improving patient outcomes and quality of life.

Castilho Lab

Another prominent lab at the School of Dentistry is the Laboratory of Epithelial Biology, also known as the Castilho Lab. Under the leadership of Dr. Rogerio Castilho the lab focuses on understanding the genetic and epigenetic mechanisms involved in the control of epithelial cells and stem cells during homeostasis, healing, and disease.

The lab explores the role of histone acetylation and chromatin remodeling in the control of epithelial functions, including tissue healing, maintenance of epithelial homeostasis, and stem cell function. The Castilho Lab also investigates epigenetic-driven mechanisms involved in tumor resistance to chemotherapy and radiation, and explores the use of epi-drugs to counteract cancer-driven histone modifications.

Cevidanes Lab

The Cevidanes Lab at the School of Dentistry is dedicated to the field of dental and craniofacial bionetwork for image analysis (DCBIA). Led by Dr. Lucia Cevidanes, the lab integrates and disseminates imaging quantitative methodology in dentistry to support patient-specific decision making and assessment of disease progression.

The lab develops algorithms and software to analyze and process dental and craniofacial images, using machine learning approaches to predict and model disease progression. The Cevidanes Lab also collaborates with clinicians, data scientists, and engineers to share open-source software and train users in dentistry, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration for advanced imaging analysis in oral health care.

Chiego Lab

Dr. Daniel Chiego Jr. leads the Chiego Lab at the School of Dentistry, which focuses on the innervation of the dental pulp. Dr. Chiego's research focuses on the innervation of the dental pulp and its role in development, growth, pain, inflammation and repair. This research is of clinical interest because it could lead to improved pulpal repair options that are less invasive than root canal therapy or tooth extraction.

Another area of study at the Chiego Lab is the central mechanisms of salivation and how autonomic nerves interact within the brainstem. This research could provide insight into the treatment of conditions that affect salivary function, such as Sjogren's syndrome.

Dr. Chiego is also involved in a study comparing the temporal sequence of gene expression in periapical granulomas and cysts using gene arrays, histopathology, and digital radiography. This research could lead to improved diagnosis and treatment options for these lesions using nanotechnology.

One of the lab's recent publications in the Journal of Endodontics explores the self-renewal of dental pulp stem cells induced by SCF/C-Kit signaling. This research could have implications for regenerative dentistry and the development of new therapies for dental pulp-related diseases.

Another publication from the lab focuses on the unfolded protein response as a therapeutic target for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. This research highlights the lab's interest in developing new treatment options for a range of oral health conditions.

Overall, the Chiego Lab's research is focused on understanding the complex mechanisms underlying dental pulp innervation and exploring new treatment options for a variety of oral health conditions.

D’Silva Lab

The D'Silva Lab at the University of Michigan is focused on understanding the mechanisms that drive invasion and spread of head and neck cancer, and how this cancer can become resistant to treatment. The lab uses a combination of in vitro models, pre-clinical models, and clinical studies to investigate the tumor-microenvironment interactions that promote growth, spread and treatment resistance in cancer.

One area of Dr. Nisha D'Silva's research is focused on identifying biomarkers and molecular mechanisms of tumor progression and treatment resistance. The lab is investigating the mechanisms that encourage invasion and spread of head and neck cancer, as well as how head and neck cancer is protected from radiation and how it recurs. Dr. D'Silva's research is funded by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research/National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Recent publications from the lab have highlighted the role of nerve density in oral cancer outcome. Increased nerve density was shown to have an adverse effect on the outcome of oral cancer. The lab has also investigated cytokines secreted by inflamed oral mucosa and their implications for oral cancer progression. The lab's work is important as head and neck cancer is an aggressive, treatment-resistant cancer with a high recurrence rate.

The lab's research could lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms that drive invasion and spread of head and neck cancer, and to the development of new therapies to target these mechanisms. The interdisciplinary collaborations with colleagues at the University of Michigan enhance D’Silva lab’s research capabilities and its ability to make meaningful contributions to the field.

Ann Decker Lab

The Ann Decker Lab is focused on understanding the intercellular signaling mechanisms that regulate inflammation in bone. Specifically, the lab aims to understand how periodontal disease affects innate immunity and subsequent effects on bone regeneration and skeletal cancer metastasis that reside in the bone marrow niche spaces.

The lab utilizes cutting-edge techniques in molecular biology, cell culture, and preclinical models to investigate the complex interactions between different cell types in the bone microenvironment and their role in bone inflammation and regeneration. The ultimate goal of the Ann Decker Lab's research is to identify novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of bone-related diseases, such as periodontal disease and skeletal cancer metastasis.

Joseph Decker Lab

The Joseph Decker Lab, which is led by Dr. Joeseph Decker, focuses on developing innovative technologies that have the potential to detect and interpret the inter- and intra-cellular signaling networks within the tissue microenvironment, alter an existing unfavorable microenvironment, and leverage alterations in the pathophysiological microenvironment for early detection and intervention.

The lab utilizes a multidisciplinary approach, combining expertise in bioengineering, nanotechnology, and dentistry, to design and develop cutting-edge tools and techniques for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and cancer therapeutics. The lab's research aims to advance our understanding of the complex interactions between cells and their microenvironment and develop novel strategies to intervene in disease processes, such as cancer metastasis and tissue regeneration.

Emrick Lab

The Emrick Lab, led by Dr. Joshua Emrick, specializes in studying the molecules, cells, and circuitry of the sensory nervous system that innervates the mouth, head, and neck. The lab seeks to understand how sensory information from the oral and craniofacial region is encoded, processed, and integrated to contribute to normal tissue function and drive reflexes and perceptions.

The lab utilizes state-of-the-art techniques in neurobiology, molecular biology, and physiology to investigate the complex neural pathways and circuits that are involved in oral and craniofacial sensory perception, including taste, pain, and touch. The ultimate goal of the Emrick Lab's research is to advance our understanding of the sensory nervous system and its role in oral and craniofacial health and disease, which may have important implications for the diagnosis and treatment of various conditions, such as oral pain disorders and sensory-related craniofacial abnormalities.

In a Nutshell

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is home to several cutting-edge research laboratories that are focused on a wide range of dental, oral, and craniofacial health topics. From regenerative dentistry to epithelial biology, from dental imaging to pulp innervation, from head and neck cancer to bone inflammation, and from tissue microenvironment alterations to sensory nervous system research, these labs are conducting innovative research that has the potential to advance our understanding of oral health and disease and improve patient care.

The interdisciplinary approach and collaboration among these research labs are driving breakthroughs in dental research and contributing to the advancement of dentistry as a whole. With their state-of-the-art facilities, dedicated researchers, and pioneering research projects, the labs at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry are at the forefront of cutting-edge research in dental sciences.