Oral Health Sciences

The Division of Basic Science Research unifies a wide spectrum of oral health-related research. Its research and education activities are fully integrated with the multi- and interdisciplinary MUSC research community, which includes the Colleges of Medicine, Dental Medicine, Pharmacy, Health Professions and Nursing. 

The division's activities are further integrated with graduate training programs provided by the College of Graduate Studies and administered through the Molecular and Cellular Biology and Pathobiology Program.

All members of the Division of Basic Science Research have joint appointments in the basic science department of the College of Medicine or the Department of Bioengineering at Clemson University. Most members of the department are members of the Hollings Cancer Center at the Medical University of South Carolina.

The research foci within the department include:

• Molecular and cellular biology of periodontal inflammation and disease progression.
• Head and neck cancer biology and therapeutics with a focus on RNA silencing.   
• Bioengineering and biomechanics of temporomandibular joint and craniofacial regeneration with emphasis on dentin regeneration.
• Opportunistic oral bacteria and their mechanisms of colonization in oral mucosa.
• Periodontal pathogens and their molecular associations with chronic diseases.
• Commensal microbiota impact on osteoimmunology and skeletal metabolism.

Faculty 

Andrew Jakymiw, Ph.D., Associate Professor

Subramanya Pandruvada, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Caroline Westwater, Ph.D., Professor

Hai Yao, Ph.D., Professor 

Ozlem Yilmaz, D.D.S., Ph.D., Professor

Hong Yu, M.D., Research Associate Professor