Joanne Chow
Research Mentor(s): Darnell Kaigler
Mentor Department: Periodontics and Oral Medicine
Authors: Joanne Chow, Darnell Kaigler, Jim Sugai
Session: Session 2 (10:00am – 10:50am)
Presentation Type: Poster 49
Abstract
Stem cell therapies represent a promising frontier in regenerative medicine, offering potential solutions for regenerating lost tissues, treating ischemic disorders, and addressing chronic inflammatory conditions. Despite their growing applications in medicine, these therapies have yet to be adopted in dentistry. This project seeks to investigate the potential of stem cell therapies in dental applications by characterizing the behavior and phenotype of oral-derived mesenchymal stem cells (oMSCs) from various oral tissues. The core objective of this research is to enhance our understanding of the differentiation potential of oMSCs, particularly through osteogenic induction. These methods involve the isolation and growth of stem cells from oral tissues under specific conditions that facilitate their differentiation into bone-forming osteoblasts. The experimental process involves expanding oMSCs to the appropriate numbers and then plating them in 6-well plates to be cultured over a period of three-to-four weeks. Following the culture period, we will conduct a qualitative and quantitative assay to visualize and measure their osteogenic differentiation capacity into bone-forming cells. The assays enable us to determine the extent to which the cellular phenotypes of oMSCs can be guided toward bone-forming cells between different patients. In characterizing and comparing stem cell behavior between different patients, we will enable better understanding of the most appropriate use of these cells for clinical therapies. These therapies include regeneration of bone for oral reconstruction of patients who have tooth and bone loss due to a history of trauma, gum disease, or congenital bone defects. Ultimately, this project will help establish important foundation for innovative stem cell-based therapies to treat inflammatory and degenerative conditions in dentistry.
