Expertise

Current efforts are focused on mucosal biofilm biology with specific interests in oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. To help understand the complex biofilm interactions in Streptococcus mutans-induced caries formation, we are defining the role bacterial cell surface proteins play in colonization and bacterial atherosclerosis/endocarditis. Mechanisms that may diminish colonization of S. mutans cells to enamel surfaces and cardiac tissue are being explored. The effect of tobacco on S. mutans virulence is a major focus. Inhibitory factors being investigated include botanical agents, mucosal vaccines and neutralization of receptor sites. A sensitive and specific in vitro biofilm caries model system has been developed in this laboratory and is being used to assess the ability of various anti-microbial agents and antibodies in prevention of S. mutans colonization of enamel surfaces and caries formation. In addition, the model is used to determine the relative cariogenicity of oral microorganisms. His work is currently supported by a NIH U01 grant.

Past Affiliations

Co-Director, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Professor, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Director, Student Research Programs, Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Director, PhD. Dental Science Program, Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Professor, Tobacco Cessation and Biobehavioral Center, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Director, Department of Biomedical and Applied Sciences, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Co-Director, Tobacco Cessation and Biobehavioral Center, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Research Associate, Microbiology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham (past)

Associate Professor, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Associate Professor, Oral Biology

Associate Professor, Oral Biology

Professor, Melvin and Bren Simon Cancer Center, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, School of Medicine (past)

Professor, Oral Health Research Institute, School of Dentistry, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis

Communities
Biomedical Science, Biomedical Science, Applied Science, Applied Science
Degrees
PhD, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, Microbiology and Immunology, 1982
BS, Eastern Illinois University, Medical Technology and Chemistry, 1976
Keywords
health and medicine immune system immunochemistry immunology immunopathology autoimmunity inflammation injury immunophysiology caries communicable diseases immune system disorders infectious diseases or agents oral medicine & diseases periodontal diseases pulmonary diseases stress aids (sexually transmitted) respiratory diseases hiv/aids bacterial infections antisera antivirals disease prevention fluoride immunization immunological & bioassay methods biological markers & sensor mechanisms enzymes pathogenesis dentistry bacteriology biochemistry & molecular biology microbiology parasitology membrane transport structural biology enzyme catalysis biofilms protein structure immunodiagnostic molecular recognition electrophoresis stress response (neuroanatomy) morphology proteomics cytokines glycobiology molecular microbiology
Languages
Spanish
Honors

Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2010

IUPUI MURI Best Team Award (Award for best multidisciplinary undergraduate research team), Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2009

Director's Undergraduate Mentoring Award (Mentoring Award), Center for Research and Learning (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2008

Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2008

Indiana University School of Dentistry Outstanding Faculty Member of the Year, Indiana Dental Association (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2003

Indiana University Trustees Teaching Award, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 2002

Indiana University Teaching Excellence Recognition Award, Indiana University (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 1997-2000

Distinguished Faculty Award for Research, Indiana University School of Dentistry (Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis), 1994

Associations
American Association for Dental Research
American Association of Immunology
American Society for Microbiology
International Association for Dental Research