Research Accomplishments

Research drives progress. That’s why Osteo Science Foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of scientists in their pursuit of high-quality research.

Our researchers are making significant strides forward. Their work strengthens our field and brings the hop of better medicine that much closer. We are proud to be their partners and to help lead the way by funding initiatives that make a true difference in regenerative medicine and professional development.

• J. Steven Alexander, PhD, at LSU-Shreveport has developed a novel Three-Dimensional Printed Osteogenic Engineered Network (OGEN) and is researching applications for the repair of CranioMaxillofacial Defects.
• Seth Brooks, DDS, at University of Tennessee is continuing to perfect evaluation of a promising technique using CD90+ adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells in an alveolar extraction socket model.
• Jeremy Mao, DDS, PhD, at Columbia University has demonstrated that alveolar bone defects can be healed by novel biphasic calcium phosphate particulates, potentially without osteogenic proteins.
• Pasha Shakoori, DDS, at the University of Pennsylvania has successfully optimized cell culture conditions in order to establish optimal nongenetic approaches to facilitate the induction of human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) into Schwann and neuron-like cells.
• Hilton Kaplan, MBBCh, FCSSA, PhD, and his team at Rutgers University have developed a process for decellularization of entire neurovascular bundles (artery, vein and nerve tissue) with successful recellularization and revascularization through a process utilizing a whole-organ bioreactor as developed by, and in collaboration with researchers from MGH/Harvard.
• Tienmin Chu, DDS, PhD, at Indiana University has demonstrated the efficacy of thrombopoietin in combination with fast-degrading hydrogels and stem cells in enhancing cranial regeneration in complex craniofacial repair scenarios.
• Simon Young, DDS, MD, PhD, at the University of Texas, Houston, has done extensive research developing a novel model for compromised wound healing that will provide the basis for studying regenerative techniques in complex maxillofacial wounds with compromised healing capabilities.
• Tara Aghaloo, DDS, MD, PhD, at UCLA has successfully created critical size, non-healing defects in an animal model. Using different combinations of grafting materials and techniques, her research provides definitive objective evidence to support clinical techniques currently used in practice, expanding the scientific basis for the efficacy of these techniques.
• Qunzhou Zhang, PhD, at the University of Pennsylvania has created a variety of nerve injury models and has demonstrated that mesenchymal stem cells derived from gingival tissue can be used to repair nerve injuries in the maxillofacial region.
• Lucas Lu, PhD, at the University of Delaware has developed a repeatable model for cartilage degeneration in the temporomandibular joint followed by repair using a novel stem cell therapy approach.
• Pamela Yelick, PhD, at Tufts University has developed a unique approach incorporating human dental pulp cells that are embryologically derived from Neural Crest Cells to form alveolar bone and tooth tissues.