New Recruit Taking Aim at Biofilms, Dental Caries

 

Hyun Koo, DDS, MS, PhD

Philadelphia – Adding to the strength of Penn Dental Medicine’s research enterprise, is a new faculty recruit to the Department of Orthodontics – Dr. Hyun (Michel) Koo, who recently joined the School as Professor in the Department of Orthodontics. Dr. Koo comes to Penn Dental Medicine from the University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry where he had been part of the faculty since 2001, most recently serving as Associate Professor in the Department of Dentistry, the Department of Microbiology & Immunology, and the Center for Oral Biology.

Dr. Koo holds a PhD in Oral Biology (Microbiology, 1999) and an MS in Food Science (Biochemistry, 1996) from State University of Campinas, Brazil, and earned his DDS at State University Sao Paulo, Brazil (1993). In addition, he completed a postdoctoral fellowship in oral biology at the University of Rochester Medical Center, 1999-2001, and served as a visiting scientist with the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, 2011-2012.

An accomplished researcher, his lab focuses on one of the most prevalent biofilm-dependent oral infectious diseases – dental caries. His research is aimed at building our understanding of pathogenic biofilms and developing effective therapeutics against them. His lab is particularly interested in finding new anti-biofilm agents from plant-derived foods and organic waste products as well as developing novel drug-delivery approaches.

“With the high prevalence of caries among the most vulnerable populations, Michel’s work stands to improve the lives of many, particularly underserved children,” says Morton Amsterdam Dean Denis Kinane. “We are excited to have him here at Penn.”