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NIDCR News 2021

Scientists Prevent Gum Disease in Mice
December 23, 2021
Disarming a Blood-Clotting Protein Prevents Gum Disease in Mice
Blocking function of a blood-clotting protein prevented bone loss from periodontal (gum) disease in mice, pointing to a potential treatment avenue for gum disease and other inflammatory conditions.
Press Release
Oral Health in America
December 21, 2021
NIH/NIDCR Releases Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges
Report details 20 years of advances and challenges of Americans’ oral health.
Announcement
Woman scratching her arm.
November 30, 2021
Scientists Identify a Culprit for Chronic Itch
A drug that blocks an immune substance called oncostatin M reduced scratching in a mouse model of chronic itch, suggesting a treatment strategy for persistent itchy skin conditions.
Research Brief
Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD
November 18, 2021
Webster-Cyriaque Selected as Deputy Director, NIDCR
Jennifer Webster-Cyriaque, DDS, PhD, brings a wealth of expertise to the institute, having served in leadership and mentoring roles in academia, clinical service, and research.
Announcement
Creative rendition of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles with spike proteins dotting their surfaces.
November 5, 2021
Scientists Identify Mechanism That May Influence Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 Variants
NIDCR scientists found that a process in cells may limit infectivity of SARS-CoV-2, and that mutations in the alpha and delta variants overcome this effect, potentially boosting the virus’s ability to spread.
Press Release
People wearing masks looking at the camera
October 19, 2021
Developing a Smart Mask to Surveil Coronavirus
NIDCR-funded researchers are developing a color-changing “smart” mask to detect viruses like SARS-CoV-2 in wearers’ saliva or breath. The device could one day help with monitoring infection and preventing outbreaks.
Research Brief
Nobel Prize
October 4, 2021
NIDCR Funded Winners of 2021 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine
The Nobel Assembly at Karolinska Institutet awarded David Julius, Ph.D., and Ardem Patapoutian, Ph.D., with the Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine. Both scientists received NIDCR funding in support of their winning research.
Announcement
NIDCR Logo
September 20, 2021
NIDCR Launches New Dental Public Health Research Training Program
The full-time, three-year fellowship is designed to equip dental professionals with the skills and knowledge needed to initiate and conduct community- and population-level oral health research.
Announcement
COVID-19 Sensor
August 27, 2021
A Coronavirus Sensor that Fits in the Palm of Your Hand
Researchers on an NIDCR-funded study have developed a hand-held device that rapidly and reliably detects SARS-CoV-2 in saliva. The portable sensor could eventually be used for low-cost COVID-19 testing in a variety of locations, including dental and health care settings, schools, the travel industry, and at home.
Research Brief
In mice, corticospinal neurons mainly govern voluntary movements. But Liu discovered that a subset of the neurons (above) amplifies touch signals and plays a role in mechanical allodynia, where gentle touch is perceived as pain. | Yuanyuan Liu
August 12, 2021
Dialing Down Pain from the Brain
Neuroscientist Yuanyuan “Kevin” Liu studies the chit-chat between the brain and spinal cord to understand how the brain perceives touch and pain. His research could reveal potential targets in the brain that act as dials to turn down the volume on pain.
Research Brief
Q&A
July 16, 2021
5 Q&As about "Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges"
NIDCR answers questions about this seminal report as we prepare for its Fall release.
Announcement
Artificial Buds
July 2, 2021
Mimicking Mother Nature to Grow an Artificial Gland
NIDCR scientists have achieved the first key step in growing an artificial salivary gland to replace damaged glands in patients who have lost salivary function.
Research Brief
Dr. Park
June 21, 2021
A Four-Decade Quest to Uncover a Unique Molecule’s Secret
Biochemist Myung Hee Park reflects on her 42-year career at NIDCR, where she pioneered research on a molecular pathway vital for nearly all life. Her findings could shed light on new approaches to treat certain cancers and neurodevelopmental disorders.
Research Brief
Dr. Jacqueline Mays
June 17, 2021
When a New Immune System Attacks
NIDCR dentist-scientist Jacqueline Mays is unravelling why bone marrow transplant patients sometimes develop chronic oral graft-versus-host disease, a condition where the new immune system attacks the mouth. Her findings may help scientists find better treatments and diagnostic tools.
Research Brief
Microscopic view of mucosal cells
June 14, 2021
A Census Inside Your Mouth
NIDCR researchers mapped 120,000 individual cells in the oral mucous membrane, revealing a new role for connective tissue cells in orchestrating immune responses linked to gum disease. The detailed catalog of the mouth will serve as a rich resource for the oral research community.
Research Brief
Eva Mezey
June 4, 2021
Brain Patrol
As a youth, intramural researcher Eva Mezey remembers her mother, a scientist, theorizing about the possibility of a lymphatic drainage system in the brain. Over 50 years later, Mezey presents evidence of its existence.
Research Brief
Dr. Rena D'Souza
May 26, 2021
A Message from the Director of the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research

Dr. Rena D’Souza announced that NIDCR will release a new report, Oral Health in America: Advances and Challenges, in the fall of 2021. The report will be a follow-up to the seminal report on oral health issued two decades ago by the US Surgeon General.

Announcement
Microscopic view of fibroblasts
May 6, 2021
The Creatures Crawling Within
Watch a fibroblast creep and crawl through a web of proteins. To move about the body, these common cells use methods that are distinct from cancer cells. The finding could shed light on ways to thwart spread of cancers, including those of the head and neck.
Research Brief
Modupe Coker, DDS, PhD
April 27, 2021
MINDing the Gap: From Trainee to Tenure Track
Early-stage researchers discuss their experiences in MIND the Future, a year-long program that provides one-on-one mentoring and career-related training to individuals from diverse backgrounds to ease the transition to research independence and to enhance the diversity of the dental, oral, and craniofacial research workforce.
Research Brief
Dr. Allison Boyce treating a patient
April 14, 2021
Cracking Down on a Rare Bone Disorder
NIDCR physician-scientist Alison Boyce is searching for treatments for Fibrous Dysplasia/McCune-Albright syndrome, a rare disease of the bones, endocrine system, and skin that can impair quality of life.
Research Brief
Dr. Blake Warner
March 25, 2021
Scientists Find Evidence that Novel Coronavirus Infects the Mouth’s Cells
An international team of scientists has found evidence that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, infects cells in the mouth. This new information on the mouth’s involvement in coronavirus infection could inform strategies to reduce viral transmission within and outside the body.
Press Release
USC scientists developed a sensory adapted dental environment that featured dim lights, a weighted wrap, calm music, and image projections on the ceiling.
March 23, 2021
A Safe Space in the Dental Clinic
In a review article, researchers describe how dental practitioners and occupational therapists can work together to make dental visits more soothing for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Research Brief
Mouse candida infection
March 3, 2021
How Fungus Finds a Foothold in the Mouth
A recent study adds an unexpected twist to what was known about the immune disturbances that allow fungus to take hold in the mouth. The findings could lead to better therapies for fungal infections.
Research Brief
Dendritic cell, antigen-presenting immune cell, 3D illustration.
February 22, 2021
A Search for Cell Identity
NIDCR immunologist Roxane Tussiwand studies how molecular cues shape the development of immune cells. Her findings could help scientists better understand infectious diseases, cancer, and autoimmune disorders.
Research Brief
Slug on a log
January 28, 2021
Surgical Adhesive Inspired by Slug Slime
In an NIDCR-supported study, scientists set out to develop a better material for regenerating bone in the mouth. Twenty years later, after their research took some twists and turns, they invented an innovative adhesive for oral surgery—inspired by slugs with elements from shellfish and seaweed.
Research Brief
Markers of normal development of the brain, spinal cord and craniofacial skeleton (pink, green, yellow.
January 21, 2021
Researchers Identify New Genetic Disorder that Affects Brain, Craniofacial Skeleton
Researchers have discovered a new genetic disorder characterized by developmental delays and malformations of the brain, heart, and facial features. The underlying pathway may be essential for human development and could also underlie other disorders that are present at birth.
Press Release
A stem cell-based treatment given to young mice with craniosynostosis regenerated the flexible joints between skull bones and restored skull shape and size (right), compared to untreated animals (left), as shown in this 3D rendering.
January 7, 2021
Stem Cell Treatment Corrects Skull Shape and Restores Brain Function in Mouse Model of Childhood Disorder
Using stem cells to regenerate parts of the skull, scientists corrected skull shape and reversed learning and memory deficits in young mice with craniosynostosis, a condition estimated to affect 1 in every 2,500 infants born in the United States.
Press Release

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