School of Dental Medicine

Protein drugs, which derive from biological sources, represent some of the most important and effective biopharmaceuticals on the market. Some, like insulin, have been used for decades, while many more based on cloned genes are coming to market and are valued for their precise and powerful functions.

By Patrick Ammerman  A high school mentoring program at the University of Pennsylvania designed for local first-generation students helped two sisters navigate the college-appication process. That path ultimately led both back to Penn.

A fear of pain causes many people with dental phobias to avoid or delay needed treatment. In some cases, the injection of a numbing agent can be the most painful part of the visit.

The bacteria that live in dental plaque and contribute to tooth decay often resist traditional antimicrobial treatment, as they can “hide” within a sticky biofilm matrix, a glue-like polymer scaffold.

Now until July 29, the University of Pennsylvania Office of Development and Alumni Relations is hosting two interns for the CASE Advancement Internship Program.

Jonas Salk created a vaccine against polio that has been used since 1955; Albert Sabin created another version that has been on the market since 1961. Together, these two vaccines have nearly eliminated polio from the face of the earth.

April is National Oral Cancer Awareness Month and University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine students teamed with students from Temple University to bring attention to the disease and the importance of early detection through the annual Philadelphia Oral Cancer Walk and 5K on April 2.

Periodontitis, a gum disease present in nearly half of all adults in the United States, involves inflammation, bleeding and bone loss. In its severe form, it is associated with systemic inflammatory conditions such as atherosclerosis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Dentistry is often described as part art, part science. Geelsu Hwang, a research associate in the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, wants to add engineering to the mix.

The oral cavity is a complex landscape, cavernous and full of irregular structures. Using a two-dimensional X-ray to map its variations can only reveal so much. That’s why a technological revolution that has made three-dimensional imaging of the teeth and jaws easier and safer has ushered in a transformation of practice in the dental clinic.