2011 ADIA Research Grant - Australian Dental Research Foundation
The Australian Dental Industry Association (ADIA) is pleased to announce that Associate Professor Yin Xiao from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) is the recipient of the2011 ADIA Research Grant. The $7,500 grant is bestowed by the Australian Dental Research Foundation (ADRF) on an annual basis using funds donated by ADIA.
In his grant application, Dr. Yin said that the purpose of his research project is to assess the role of hedgehog signaling pathway on cementum repair and regeneration using a rat to model root wound healing.
The grant application notes that the tooth is a common research model used in the study of molecular mechanisms of organ development. The hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway, one of the four classical signaling pathways, has always been known to be a key guiding signal in the embryonic course of pattern formation and differentiation responsible for organ formation. The Hh signaling pathway has also been found to play a key role in tooth development and differentiation including late tooth root formation. Furthermore, research in the field of periodontal regeneration has shown that the biological mechanisms involved in regeneration mimic the events during tooth development. In the process of periodontal tissue regeneration, one of the most critical and difficult components to regenerate is cementum. However, the molecular mechanisms of cementum regeneration have not been elucidated as yet. This research project will investigate the role of Hh signaling pathway in cementum regeneration.
The anticipated results of the research will provide more insights into the molecular networking of cementum regeneration; therefore this project will generate fundamental knowledge in relation to cementum regeneration and potentially guide the development on treatment of periodontal regeneration.
Dr Yin Xiao is a biomedical scientist, dentist and Associate Professor of Medical Engineering at QUT. As a leader of the bone tissue engineering group within the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, he has built up an active research program that focuses on finding solutions to bone defect healing, osteointegration of dental implants, bone regeneration, stem cell selection and the treatment of osteoarthritis.
In conducting the research, Dr Yin will be supported by Dr Sarah Han, a PhD candidate at QUT. The research will be undertaken in the Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation and the Medical Engineering Research Facility at QUT.
ADIA is the national industry association representing suppliers of quality dental product and was a joint partner in the establishment of the ADRF in 1970, along with the Australian Dental Association (ADA). Since its inception, the ADRF has funded more than 1,200 grants and scholarships to support research in dentistry for the purpose of improving the dental health of the community.
The ADIA Chief Executive Officer, Troy Williams, said that the dental industry was pleased to support research into this area and funding of this grant application was consistent with the Association's stated aim of to advancing the oral health care of all Australians.
To keep up to date with developments in this area follow ADIA on Twitter @AusDental or contact the Association via email at national.office@adia.org.au or telephone 1300 943 094 (internationally on +61 2 9319 5631).