The Department of Basic and Translational Sciences brings together the School’s basic sciences faculty in the areas of anatomy and cell biology, biochemistry, microbiology, and pathology into one unified department. Spanning common research between lab groups, interdisciplinary collaboration creates a synergy to leverage the collective potential of faculty, testing the boundaries of basic science, translational medicine, and clinical sciences to support and advance research across disciplines.
Basic & Translational Sciences
Basic & Translational Sciences
Dr. Henry Daniell has developed a novel plant-based system that allows for the oral delivery of proteins and is effective in producing and delivering vaccines (for polio, tuberculosis, and malaria) and biopharmaceuticals to treat Alzheimer’s, diabetes, hypertension, hemophilia, muscular dystrophy, and retinopathy.
Altering Bone Marrow Can ‘Train’ Innate Immune System for Future Challenges
George Hajishengallis of the School of Dental Medicine and an international team of colleagues have found that “training” the immune system causes changes in the precursors of immune cells in the bone marrow. These changes could facilitate a more robust response to future infections or even enable the immune system to regenerate faster after chemotherapy.
To Resolve Inflammation, Location Matters
Where a protein is expressed can influence its action. Dr. George Hajishengallis and colleagues from the School of Dental Medicine have identified one that plays a key role in getting the body back to normal after inflammation
Modeling the Most Common Form of Vision Loss in Older Adults
A new model of age-related retinal degneration, developed with leadership from the School of Dental Medicine, will give researchers a deeper understanding of the disease, as well as possible ways to prevent or treat it.
Program & Faculty Features
Faculty
Robert P. Ricciardi, MA, PhD
Acting-Chair,
Professor of Basic & Translational Sciences
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Mark S. Wolff, DDS, PhD, is the Morton Amsterdam Dean of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a Professor in the Department of Preventative and Restorative Dentistry. Formerly he was a Professor and Chair of the Department of Cariology and Comprehensive Care and Associate Dean for Pre-doctoral Clinical Education and Associate Dean for Development and Alumni Relations at the New York University College of Dentistry. He has designed, developed, and implemented an extensive curriculum in caries risk assessment and has designed dental information systems to assist dental schools in monitoring the risk of the entire dental patient population. Dr. Wolff has completed numerous national and international research and oral health assessment programs. Dr. Wolff started his dental career as a private practitioner, creating a family practice that focused on the medically compromised and disabled patients of all ages. He has been a lifelong advocate and educator for individuals with physical, intellectual and developmental disabilities through the lifespan.
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