Isoproterenol's Radioprotective Action on Salivary Gland Cell Line

This grant will allow for the gathering of experimental data to enable the researcher to reapply to NIH for more extensive studies I this area. High doses of radiation are commonly used to kill cancer cells in the head and neck. Whole body radiation is also used to purge the bone marrow of cells prior to bone marrow transplantation. Both of those procedures have the undesirable side effect of destroying any salivary gland tissue included in the radiation beam. That can result in severe and permanent loss of salivary function with resultant oral health complications due to dry mouth, e.g., difficulty in eating and swallowing, poor nutrition, loss of teeth. This research will use human sub mandibular duct cells in cell culture to examine various molecular parameters associated with radiation-induced changes. It will then use isoproterenol, which is known to protect the salivary gland from radiation damage, in the culture system in an attempt to discern the mechanism of its action.

Early Ethanol-induced Morphogenetic Changes in Zebrafish

This grant will allow for the gathering of research to enable the researcher to apply to NIH. Ethanol is a significant environmental agent that causes birth defects in humans. Many clinical studies in humans have delineated neurological and physical manifestations associated with exposure to ethanol during development. The researcher has devised a rapid and reproducible technique for the exposure of zebrafish embryos to known concentrations of ethanol. The zebrafish embryo, being nearly transparent is ideally suited for developmental studies under a variety of experimental conditions. The zebrafish shares close similarities with human genes responsible for regulating early development of the nervous system. The researcher proposes to examine the effects of early exposure of the embryos to ethanol to determine if there is a resultant delay of development, which leads to abnormal development of the central and peripheral nervous systems.

Habitat for Science - Year 2

Habitat for Science is a recently developed science education program that facilitates diversity in science education for high school teachers and students in Dallas, Texas. It is a community outreach program of Baylor College of Dentistry. The program is a novel concept to promote science education, understanding and appreciation in Dallas youth and communities who traditionally have not been fully exposed to scientific environments. Specific goals of this initiative are;

• To provide hands-on science learning and informal science education for Dallas Inner City youth
• To integrate scientific thinking in the minds of future generations
• To establish a mentoring model for science education in diverse populations that can be used across the country
• To become a community partner in the education of high school teachers and students in Dallas' inner city
• To establish Baylor College of Dentistry, a member of The Texas A&M University System Health Science Center, as a leader in community science education in urban Dallas

Tooth Talk - Community Service Events

All D-3 and D-4 students are required, as part of their curriculum in the Department of Public Health Sciences, to visit secondary school classrooms and make oral health presentations. The students are also required to participate in community activities, e.g., health fairs, dental screenings, or nutrition center visits. This grant is in support of those public health activities, specifically to modernize the technology used and to replace badly worn equipment and supplies. This grant will provide for the purchase of an intraoral camera for use in community activities to enhance the ability to generate public interest in good oral health and to motivate the public toward improved dental health care. In addition, the funds would be used to upgrade old equipment and thus paint a much more appealing view of Baylor College of Dentistry to the public.

Recruitment of Students from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

This grant funds the second phase of a broad based program to recruit students from disadvantaged backgrounds. This phase is aimed at junior and senior high school students who demonstrate an interest in the health professions. Each year, 200 students will be targeted to participate in a one-day program at Baylor College of Dentistry. During the one-day session, students will learn many aspects about oral health care careers. They will participate in hands-on activities and interact with dental students and faculty. Of those students demonstrating greatest interest, 50 are selected to attend a Saturday Academy Program. This consists of six all day Saturday sessions at which there will be a more in depth introduction of dentistry, sessions on enhancing study skills, assistance in locating financial aid, tips on taking college entrance exams, etc. Roundtable discussions with dental practitioners from the community, who can function as mentors, are also planned.