MUSC Theme/Focus

  • Establish the MUSC Center for Oral Health Research (MUSC COHR)
    • Leverage the MUSC COHR with resources of the South Carolina COBRE for Oral Health
    • Leverage the MUSC COHR with resources in Regenerative Medicine and Proteomics
    • Leverage the MUSC COHR with the MUSC/Clemson University Bioengineering Program
  • Strengthen three focal areas as research thrusts to expand research capacity in oral health
    • Regenerative Medicine/Bioengineering
    • Proteomics
    • Oral and Head/Neck Cancer
  • Incorporate faculty development and training into the proposed Center for Oral Health Research

 

Specific Aim 1

Develop a critical mass of researchers in three focal research areas relevant to oral health through:

  • Targeted recruitments of additional faculty to bridge critical gaps in expertise
    • Soft Tissue Bioengineer (FTE - CU-MUSC Magnet Investigator)
    • Stem Cell Biologist (FTE - Anatomy)
    • Dental Biomaterials (FTE - Materials Science)
    • Oral Cancer Proteomics (FTE - Pharmacology)
  • Mentored research career development of targeted faculty in the College of Dental Medicine
    • Michele Ravenel (Oral Medicine)
    • Angela Chi (Oral Pathology)
    • Jim Knight (Operative Dentistry)
    • Betsy Hill (Biometry and Epidemiology)
    • Betsy Davis (Otolaryngology)

Specific Aim 2

Strategically enhance shared research resources by:

  • Hiring new research personnel to provide technical support and expand resource capacity
    • Research specialist - Proteomics
    • Clinical coordinator - Oral Cancer
    • Laboratory animal technician
  • Acquiring a few critical items of equipment to enhance resource capabilities
    • Proteomics - mass spectrometer
    • Functional Outcomes (oral health examinations)
    • Materials Science Laboratory

Specific Aim 3

Support an Administrative Core to implement the Infrastructure Enhancement Plan and establish a business plan and long-term sustainability plan for the MUSC Center for Oral Health Research:

  • DMD/PhD program
    • 4 students currently in program
    • 2 students accepted for enterance in Summer 2004
  • Sustainability
    • Training Grant Application
    • Individual and Program Project Grant Applications
    • NCRR Building Grant Application