UT Health San Antonio Launches Pioneering Center for Regenerative Dental Sciences
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio is set to open a groundbreaking Center for Regenerative Sciences, aiming to revolutionize treatments for dental, oral, and craniofacial diseases. By harnessing advanced tissue regeneration strategies and stem cell research, the center promises to push the boundaries of both dental and medical sciences.
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio School of Dentistry is on the brink of launching its innovative Center for Regenerative Sciences, designed to place the institution at the cutting edge of regenerative dentistry and medicine. The initiative, led by Yong-Hee Chun, DDS, PhD, MS, and Anibal Diogenes, DDS, PhD, aims to fast-track the translation of preclinical discoveries into clinical therapies, particularly for dental, oral, and craniofacial diseases.
Chun’s research delves into the molecular foundations of tooth development and mineralization, targeting conditions like molar-incisor hypomineralization and periodontal diseases. The center’s mission includes developing new treatments to regenerate malformed or damaged tissues, restoring normal function.
Professor and Chair of the Department of Endodontics, Diogenes, emphasized the center’s potential to swiftly advance the field by integrating biological advancements into clinical applications. The center will focus on cutting-edge areas such as advanced tissue regeneration strategies, three-dimensional tissue printing, and targeted drug delivery using encapsulated growth factors.
Highlighting the center’s ambitious goals, Diogenes mentioned ongoing research on stem cell-based root canal therapies for children, aimed at restoring damaged dental pulp and supporting overall growth and development. This initiative not only promises to enhance dental health but also has far-reaching implications for nutrition, speech development, and psychosocial well-being.
Scheduled to launch later this fall, the Center for Regenerative Sciences will join two other dental research centers at UT Health San Antonio, focusing on global oral health and pain therapeutics. The center is currently seeking a director to lead this pioneering effort, which aims to attract top talent and foster breakthroughs in both dental and medical sciences, ultimately improving patient care outcomes worldwide. Click here to read more.
