NIDCR Research

Scientists Discover Protein Receptor for Carbonation Taste
NIDCR researchers along with colleagues from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) report that they have discovered that the taste of carbonation is initiated by an enzyme tethered like a small flag from the surface of sour-sensing cells in taste buds. The enzyme, called Carbonic Anhydrase 4, interacts with the carbon dioxide in the soda, activating the sour cells in the taste bud and prompting it to send a sensory message to the brain, where carbonation is perceived as a familiar sensation. Read the full story.

NIDCR Science News

Key Gene in Clept Lip and/or Palate Identified
About six years ago, a team of NIDCR-supported scientists and their colleagues reported that they had genotyped 2,551 people from 388 extended families with a history of cleft lip and/or palate. The study was noteworthy because it marked the first genome-wide linkage results for this common and developmentally complex birth defect. Among the interesting leads to flow out of this work was that an undetermined gene in a novel region on the long arm of chromosome nine might be involved in the clefting process. The challenge was to pinpoint its exact location. In the December 15, 2009 issue of the journal Human Molecular Genetics, the scientists report that they now have the gene in tow. It is called FOXE1, which belongs to a family of genes that encode transcription factors involved in pattern formation during embryonic development. With further study, the researchers noted that the gene will provide valuable new insights into the process that leads to a cleft lip and/or palate.

Proteomics of Saliva and Plasma
In March 2008, a consortium of NIDCR-supported research groups published the first comprehensive list of proteins secreted by the major salivary glands (parotid, submandibular, and sublingual). The consortium identified 1,166 proteins in saliva samples collected from 23 adult volunteers. Of these proteins, 657 are also found in blood plasma and 259 are present in tears. Now, in the January issue of the journal Proteomics Clinical Applications, the consortium performs a systemic comparison of the human salivary and plasma proteomes, or complete catalogue of proteins that are found in these bodily fluids. The comparison provides the scientific foundation to delineate potentially informative protein markers of developing disease.

News

Dr. Frenk Wows the NIH Crowd with "Globalization & Health" Lecture
Dec. 16, 2009 - Dr. Julio Frenk, Dean of the Harvard School of Public Health gave an electrifying presentation "Globalization and Health: The Role of Knowledge in an Interdependent World" at NIH on Dec. 16. It was part of The David E. Barmes Global Health Annual Lecture Series. Co-sponsored by the Friends of NIDCR with the NIDCR and the Fogarty International Center, unique speakers from around the world honor David E. Barmes’ lifelong dedication to research aimed at improving health for those in low-income countries. Read the lecture or watch the video.

New Symposium a Success!
More Planned Countrywide
Dec. 9, 2009 - Working with the two area dental schools and all the dental associations in DC and Maryland to develop content, The Friends of NIDCR hosted a unique afternoon symposium the same day as its Annual Gala.

“The intent was to introduce the symposium attendees to the working models of research partnerships between dental schools, professional organizations and private practitioners operating in the real world, while highlighting NIDCR-supported research” said Symposium Co-Chair Dushanka Kleinman, DDS, MScD, Associate Dean for Research & Academic Affairs, School of Public Health, University of Maryland.

The symposium was an instant hit, with extremely positive attendee comments. FNIDCR Executive Director Peter Anas reported that “97% of the surveys reported that attendees would recommend this symposium to their colleagues in the future.”

Armed with all of this positive information, the FNIDCR Board of Directors agreed at their subsequent Board meeting to launch a new symposium series around the country, in conjunction with state dental associations and the area dental school(s). Details are in progress. Read the full article and see the pictures.

Unique Presentation & Awards at Annual Gala
Later that evening, symposium attendees were able to network with their colleagues who flew in from all parts of the country for the gala. All were very attentive to a very different keynote presentation. Lois K. Cohen, Ph.D., shared her experiences speaking on “Global Health Diplomacy” as well as her visit to the first dental school in Cuba.

An Impressive Group of Award Recipients
This was followed by award presentations to honor significant accomplishments in oral health. “Viewing the unanimous sense of pride from the attendees, as FNIDCR presented the annual awards, redefines the award from the community of dentistry. FNIDCR is truly an organization that represents the broader stakeholders in dentistry - united to support the mission of the NIDCR” said Dr. Yolanda Bonta DDS, Gala Chair for the event. Read the full article and see the pictures."

FNIDCR Member Elected AADR VP
Congratulations to current Friends of NIDCR Board member Rena N. D'Souza, DDS, MS, PhD, who was recently elected Vice President of AADR. She is a professor and chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M Health Science Center, Dallas, Texas.

Legislative Update

FNIDCR Urges President Obama to Maintain Commitment to Medical Research
In a letter sent January 6, 2010, Friends of NIDCR President Dr. Bruce Donoff urged President Barack Obama to continue with the unprecedented commitment to science and medical research in fiscal year 2011 that he demonstrated in the first year of his administration. Dr. Donoff thanked President Obama for the newly-created or sustained opportunities in medical research and jobs made possible by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA) of 2009. “The new and important scope of medical research projects generated by ARRA must be sustained after ARRA funding expires at the end of fiscal year 2010,” Dr. Donoff wrote. The President’s FY2011 budget will be released in February.