by Cindy A. Abole, Public Relations

Dr. Steve London, left, orients Dental Medicine Scientist Training freshman Robert Busch with the computer and work inside his dental research laboratory. Busch is the college's first DMST student.

A new College of Dental Medicine partnership with the National Institute of Dental Research (NIDR) has enrolled its first student, kicking off a one-of-a-kind program that promises to become a competitive model for dental schools throughout the country.

To compliment its nationally known clinical program, about a year ago the college began exploring a relationship with the NIDR, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH). College administrators saw it as a viable way to beef up faculty and student research efforts in conformance with MUSC’s long-range strategic plan.

For years MUSC dental students have been heading to the labs during the summer down time between their first and second years of training. Noting this increased student involvement in research, assistant dean for research Steve London, DDS, Ph.D., has been guiding the group of budding scientists and seeking to revitalize the college’s Dental Medicine Scientist Training (DMST) Program.

Rather than create a program guided by traditional dental school program standards and the College of Medicine’s Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP), London opened the doors for a greater opportunity. He extended the school’s research potential by establishing a special alliance with the prestigious NIDR’s Division of Intramural Research in Bethesda, Md.

Since 1996, MUSC dental students have competed nationally for slots with the NIDR’s Summer Research Program. Typically geared for rising sophomores, two MUSC students have participated in this program to conduct research promoting the improvement of oral, dental and craniofacial health within the past three years.

In December 1997, London approached NIDR intramural scientific director Henning Birkedal-Hansen and NIDR special assistant for training and career development Jim Lipton with an idea to establish a continual research partnership between the world-class research facility and MUSC. It is the first of its kind anywhere in the country, and University of Florida graduate Robert Busch is the college’s first DMST student. Having just completed initial science courses this summer, Busch hopes to complete his research rotation at NIDR and earn his doctorate in microbiology and immunology.

“This is an excellent opportunity for MUSC,” said London. “The university’s strategic plan places strong emphasis on dental research using outside potential resources for growth and meeting the college’s goals.” The program allows students to work with a mentor (either at MUSC or at the NIDR) for training experience and with other faculty members as well.

Students begin their dental school education within the first year. After completion of the first year curriculum in dentistry, they then enter three years of research through the College of Graduate Studies. Students can choose from any track within the graduate school’s curriculum: biochemistry and molecular biology, biometry and epidemiology, cell and molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics, microbiology and immunology, pathology, physiology, or the interdisciplinary molecular and cellular biology and pathobiology program.

DMST students will have the option of working their research rotation locally or through NIDR. Their final three years are spent refining dental experiences and clinical work.

“A DMST student will have the opportunity to have a good experience, make key connections, plus work on various types of dental research,” London said. “My hope is to find something right for this school and make it different from other respected dental research institutions.”

In an effort to attract and enhance research, London has collaborated with a team of academic researchers who will form an external review group to evaluate and assess the dental school’s research abilities. The group is scheduled to visit the school in November and is the first step in the University Strategic Plan for Research which calls for all MUSC college’s to be evaluated by an external review committee.

The group consists of E. Dianne Rekow, DDS, Ph.D., Department of Orthodontics, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey; Ralph Katz, Ph.D.., Department of Behavioral Sciences and Community Health, University of Connecticut; Bob Weyant, DMD, Ph.D., Department of Dental Public Health, University of Pittsburgh; and Barry Rifkin, DDS, Ph.D., dean of the School of Dental Medicine, State University of New York-Stonybrook.

Students have shown increased interest in dental research since the school established a formal student research group. London serves as faculty advisor for the student chapter of the American Student Dental Research Association (AADR) and has been instrumental in effectively promoting and increasing membership on campus.

Dean leads research outlook in dental medicine

by Cindy A. Abole Public Relations

Recently appointed assistant dean for research in the College of Dental Medicine, Steve London, DDS, Ph.D., heads a variety of research projects leading to new methods of maintaining oral health and disease prevention through a better understanding of the human body.

A graduate from Emory University in biology and dentistry, London received his Ph.D. in immunology from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and conducted his post doctoral work in molecular virology from Washington University in St. Louis, Mo. He joined MUSC as assistant professor of microbiology and immunology and stomatology in 1992. He was elevated to associate professor in both subject areas in 1996. In addition to his recent appointment as assistant dean of research, London serves as director of student research programs, College of Dental Medicine.

London is the recipient of many awards and honors including the MUSC Health Science Foundation’s Developing Scholars Award in 1996 and a Research Career Development Award from the National Institute of Dental Research (1995-2000). He is also active in national organizations and is currently the councilor of the Oral Biology Section of the American Association of Dental Schools and is the secretary/treasurer of the American Association of Oral Biologists (AAOB).

An accomplished author of numerous scientific articles and text chapters, London holds current editorial positions on the editorial board of Clinical Immunology and Immunopathology and editor of the AAOB Newsletter. London’s research focuses on the body’s response to viruses and infectious disease as it relates to mucosal areas. Since infections are responsible for most dental diseases, London and his colleagues study the basic immunity of infections and how the body responds.

Dental-related research projects London manages are in the areas of physiology, oral biology, genetics, communicable disease epidemiology, periodontitis and craniofacial genetics.

As an example of the way dental research integrates with other biomedical research, London cited a project he oversees that is headed by William Ries, DDS, Ph.D., professor of stomatology. His work is in collaboration with L. Lyndon Key, M.D., division director of pediatric endocrinology, in understanding the biochemistry of bone absorption. Their work is affiliated with the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through MUSC’s General Clinical Research Center (GCRC). Their work promises a better understanding of bone repair research as it affects the tooth area.

Looking ahead, London envisions MUSC research leaning towards national research issues and advances affecting the overall treatment of dental, oral and craniofacial health problems. One example would be to explore further NIH findings linking periodontal or gum diseases and cardiovascular disease. According to the Journal of Periodontology, research has discovered how infection and inflammation, caused by periodontal disease, may significantly increase the risk for coronary heart disease.

“There’s so much good work going on around campus that it’s exciting,” London said. “That’s how I see growth associated with the College of Dental Medicine’s research. Departments can cross-research their work with others. For example the physiology department can collaborate with the College of Medicine’s neurology department’s research to follow the case of a dental patient suffering from a pain-related problem. This is just one example of many future collaborative efforts of the College of Dental Medicine within the university community.”