Oral Biology

Chair: Daniel H. Fine, DMD

Welcome to the Oral Biology Department Web site. Our department has 14 faculty members and participates in teaching and research responsibilities in both the dental and medical schools. The goal of our teaching and research programs in oral biology is to understand the etiology and pathogenesis of oral infectious diseases.

The faculty members focus on the biological principles of diseases that affect the oral cavity, on both a clinical and molecular level.

Programs

Pre-doctoral

Oral Biology. This full year course includes the comprehensive treatment of oral embryology, growth and development, biochemistry, genetics and oral physiology. It consists of five modules. Each module presents comprehensive coverage of the biological principles that apply to the clinical practice of dentistry.

Postdoctoral

The department runs a yearlong course for postgraduate students consisting of a program called "Foundations in Oral Biology". This core curriculum course is required for all postgraduate students and consists of five modules: "Research methods and biostatistics", "Inflammation and Immunology", "Head and Neck Anatomy", "Pathology", and "Microbiology".

Master of Science in Dentistry (MSD)

The Oral Biology Department coordinates the MSD program, which is designed for students interested in acquiring in-depth science training leading to a master's degree. (See our Dental Master's programs)

Master of Dental Sciences (MDS)

The Oral Biology Department coordinates the MDS program, which is designed for postdoctoral students involved in specialty training programs. This degree program is under the auspices of each of the specialty training departments. (See our Dental Master's programs)

Master of Science

This degree program is run through the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), coordinated by Dr. Vincent Tsiagbe and the Oral Biology Department. The program is designed for students interested in acquiring advanced didactic and research training to strengthen their application to dental school. (Please see link to Dr. Vincent Tsiagbe and/or GSBS master's program).

DMD/PhD Program

For more information about this program, contact the NJDS Admissions Committee or Dr. Gill Diamond.

PhD Program

This program is coordinated by the Oral Biology Department in conjunction with GSBS. Dr. Scott Kachlany is the director of this program

Core Facility

The Microscopic Imaging Suite for the Life Sciencesis a core technology laboratory supported by the Department of Oral Biology for use by all members of the University. The facility serves as a training and service core for members of UMDNJ and the surrounding research community. The facility proves expertise and instrumentation for the state-of-the-art practice of electron microscopy and light microscopy. (Please see Dr. Kabilan Velliyagounder.)

Courses

Dental - Oral Biology - module - OBI07307
Dental - Microbiology - DENT 5400
Dental - Immunology - DENT 5310Q
Postdoctoral - Foundation in Oral Biology
Master in Sciences (GSBS)
Microbiology - DENT 5400
Immunology - DENT 4310Q
Methods in Microscopic Imaging - DENT 5220Q
Research in Biomedical Sciences - MSBS593BQ
Microbial Biofilms - PHMS 5025Q
PhD Program (GSBS)
Oral Microbiology - DENT 5300Q
Seminar in Oral Biology - DENT - 5910Q
Introduction to Structural Biology - DENT 5145Q
Advance Concepts in Biology

Overall the common research theme of Oral Biology Department members is
host/pathogen interactions, which are studied at the molecular level. The research focus of individual department members can be divided into three main areas of interest: microbial genetics, host genetics and mucosal biology. More information about work by individual members of the department can be found by clicking on their names.

Faculty

Dr. Daniel H. Fine, Professor, Director, Chairman

Dr. Nataliya Balashova, Assistant Professor

Dr. Gill Diamond, Associate Professor

Dr. Scott Diehl, Professor

Dr. Scott Kachlany, Assistant Professor

Dr. Daniel Kadouri, Assistant Professor

Dr. Jeffrey Kaplan, Assistant Professor

Dr. Chinnaswamy Kasinathan, Associate Professor

Dr. Kenneth Markowitz, Assistant Professor

Dr. Narayanan Ramasubbu, Associate Professor

Dr. Helen Schreiner, Assistant Professor

Dr. Amalia Slomiany, Professor

Dr. Bronislaw Slomiany, Professor

Dr. Vincent K. Tsiagbe, Associate Professor

Dr. Kabilan Velliyagounder, Assistant Professor

Staff

Debra Bereski, Coordinator

Karen Fairlie, Coordinator

Javier Ferrandiz, Program Coordinator

David Furgang, Research Teaching Specialist I

Dipti Godboley, Dental Assistant

Amy Le, Secretary II

Yu Li, Research Teaching Specialist V

Carmen Logatto, Principal Management Assistant

Karched Maribasappa, Post Doc

Jorge-Masso Silva, Research Assistant

Senthil Velusamy, Post Doc