CDE: [Dean's Speaker Series] Stefan Ruhl, DDS, PhD

Virtually presented in Penn Dental Medicine’s Education Portal

And

Penn Dental Medicine
William W.M. Cheung Auditorium

Time: 12:00-1:00 pm; This hybrid lecture will begin promptly at 12:00 pm via Penn Dental Medicine’s Education Portal & in William W.M. Cheung Auditorium.
Registration: FREE; Registration is still required.
CE Credits: 1.o lecture credits
**NOTE: For the best viewing experience, use the Google Chrome browser or download the Zoom app.
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Glycan Recognition at the Saliva – Oral Microbiome Interface in the Human Mouth

Course Description

All biological systems are characterized by a dense and complex array of cell surface and secreted sugar chains (glycans). Glycan recognition plays an important role for bacterial adhesion to host surfaces and for inter-bacterial aggregation within microbial biofilms. My laboratory studies glycan recognition in the oral microbiome which comprises one of the most diverse biofilm communities in mammalian hosts. We investigate the extensive network of glycan-mediated interactions between the saliva glycome and the oral microbiome, as well as among members of the multi-species biofilms in the oral cavity. Understanding the mechanisms of glycan recognition by oral microbes and systemic pathogens traversing the mouth environment will help to reveal how oral and systemic health are connected and may lead to future promising therapies.

Learning Objectives

• Learn about the functions of saliva.
• Learn about the proteins in saliva.
• Learn about the molecular mechanisms of bacterial adhesion.
• Learn about the role that glycans play in bacterial binding.
• Learn about therapeutic and diagnostic approaches involving glycans

Speaker

Stefan Ruhl, DDS, PhD is professor of Oral Biology in the School of Dental Medicine at the University at Buffalo, New York, USA. He obtained his D.D.S. in 1984 and his Ph.D. in Immunology in 1988 from the Georg-August University, Göttingen, Germany. Following a residency in private dental practice, he pursued post-doctoral studies at the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) in oral microbial ecology. In 1995, he joined the faculty at the University of Regensburg, where he became Professor of Operative Dentistry and Periodontology in 2004. In 2007, he joined the Department of Oral Biology at the University of Buffalo, where he studies the molecular mechanisms of glycan-mediated bacterial adhesion to salivary glycoproteins from an evolutionary perspective. He has been the scientific mentor to more than a dozen D.D.S., Ph.D. students, and postdoctoral fellows. He is a past President of the Salivary Research Group within the International Association for Dental Research (IADR), in 2015 was named IADR Salivary Researcher of the Year, and in 2020 received the IADR Distinguished Scientist Award in Salivary Research, and was elected as fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). His scientific projects have been funded through the NIDCR since 2010. He is a member of several major professional and scientific societies, Editor in Chief of Clinical Oral Investigations, and Associate Editor of JADA Foundational Science. Professionally, he draws most of his satisfaction from day-to-day activities in the laboratory, and mentoring motivated students. In his private life, he spends ample time with his family. He enjoys mountain hiking, skiing, and the art of photography, and likes to relax with a good book in his hands.

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine is an ADA CERP Recognized Provider. ADA CERP is a service of the American Dental Association to assist dental professionals in identifying quality providers of continuing dental education. ADA CERP does not approve or endorse individual courses or instructors, nor does it imply acceptance of credit hours by boards of dentistry.

University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine designates this activity for 1.0 continuing education credits.