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BCD researchers awarded $2.95 million
Three research projects at Baylor College of Dentistry garnered about $2.95 million in grants during the first quarter of 2005.
 Dr. Larry Bellinger,
Regents professor and associate dean for research and graduate studies, is the principal investigator of a new $1.45 million grant from the National Institute of
Dental and Craniofacial Research. Titled "Sex Steroids and TMJ Pain," the grant will examine the impact of gender differences on gene(s) and molecular pathways leading to and
effecting acute and persistent joint pain as observed in the temporomandibular joint and associated peripheral tissues.
"This is the first systematic study of hormones and TMJ pain," Bellinger said. "We know that the incidence of TMJ pain appears higher in women so the focus of this study will be to understand the relationship
between estrogen, other sex steroids and TMJ pain."
Dr. Phillip Kramer, assistant professor of biomedical sciences, is co-investigator of the four-year grant that began May 1. Collaborators are Dr. David Grogan (BCD
'81, '86), assistant professor of oral and maxillofacial surgery/pharmacology; Dr. Guoquiang Guan, research associate in biomedical sciences; Dr. Bob Hutchins,
associate professor of biomedical sciences; and Dr. Robert Spears (BCD '94, '02), assistant professor of biomedical sciences.
"Cell-culture studies suggest that estrogen should reduce the symptoms of temporomandibular joint disease. However, epidemiological evidence seems to indicate
that estrogen is causing or exacerbating the disease," Kramer said. "This study should help us determine what role the hormones play and which genes are affected. This, in
turn, could help in the development of appropriate pharmacological therapies to ameliorate or alleviate the symptoms."
 Dr. Mahyar Nouri-Shirazi,
assistant professor of biomedical sciences, received a $600,000 grant titled "The Impact of Nicotine on Dendritic Cells and Host Immunity." Awarded by Philip Morris USA, the three-year grant will begin Aug. 1.
"One of my research interests is the development of immune cell-based vaccine therapy for cancer patients who fail conventional chemotherapy and radiation treatments,"
Nouri-Shirazi said. "Smokers constitute a majority of patients with cancers who are frequently subjected to immune cell-based vaccine therapy.
"This study will examine the impact of nicotine on the host's response to immune cell-based vaccine in an animal model of cancer," he continued. "It also will define the
mechanisms by which nicotine induces changes in the immune system and increases disease susceptibility in smokers."
Nouri-Shirazi believes the study will help public health professionals consider alternative or additional therapies when treating smokers, children and others exposed to
environmental tobacco smoke, and others with associated or immune-suppressed health concerns.
 Dr. Lynne Opperman,
associate professor of biomedical sciences, is the principal investigator of a grant titled "Mandibular Bone Transport Reconstruction Plate." Funded at more than $900,000 by the NIDCR, this is the second
phase of this research project; it will begin in July. The first phase was a two-year grant for $225,143 that began in August 2003.
Current procedures for rebuilding the jaw after removing cancer-riddled bone involve bone-stimulating devices used with reconstruction plates. While the reconstruction plates
take the contour of the jaw, the new bone is the wrong shape.
Opperman's research objective is to build and test prototypes of an intra-oral device that will make bone in a curve. The device's novelty is the combination of a
reconstruction plate and the bone-stimulating mechanism into a single unit.
Opperman was attracted to this project when Dr. Mohammed El-Salanty, a research associate in biomedical sciences, approached her with the idea for this unique
device for which money was needed to build and test a prototype. As a bone biologist for more than a decade, she was immediately interested.
"The devices that we're manufacturing and testing will enable surgeons to reconstruct the curved shape of the bone in mandibles after cancer resection or traumatic injury,"
Opperman said. "Current devices require multiple follow-up surgeries to shape the bone after reconstruction. With our device, it will be possible to avoid further surgeries."
Opperman explained that the bone should be correctly shaped so that implants can be placed in the reconstructed bone and the patient will have the appropriate occlusion.
"With many current devices, the reconstructed bone cannot accept implants," she said.
In addition to El-Salanty, other members of Opperman's team include co-investigator Dr. Paul Dechow, professor of biomedical sciences; technician Gerald Hill of BCD;
and co-investigator Timothy Mulone, owner of Custom Scientific.
Note: Grants are publicized in the Baylor Dental Record Online upon notification from the college's Office of Research and Graduate Studies.
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