Dental student wins grand prize at ADA annual conference

ANN ARBOR—A fourth-year dental student at the University of Michigan School of Dentistry won the grand prize in basic science and research during the American Dental Association‘s recent annual conference in Chicago.

Marjon Jahromi won with her presentation, “Gene Transfer of Platelet-Derived Growth Factor (PDGF) to Periodontal Cells.” Jahromi earned the opportunity to make her presentation at the ADA’s annual conference by winning the grand prize in basic science research during the School of Dentistry’s annual Research Table Clinic Day earlier this year.

“My research focuses on developing a method to deliver PDGF to periodontal cells for a longer, more sustained time than topical application,” Jahromi said. “PDGF is an important molecule in wound healing and bone regeneration. We accomplished this more effective release through gene therapy by using the adenovirus as our vehicle for carrying the PDGF gene to the periodontal cells. Our results showed this model did, in fact, deliver PDGF to the cells for longer periods of time and that the protein was made and had effects on periodontal cells similar to topical protein application.”

William Kotowicz, dean of the U-M School of Dentistry, said, “All of us at the School of Dentistry congratulate Marjon on her achievement and recognition by the American Dental Association. This achievement speaks highly, not only of Marjon, but also of our faculty and our strong commitment to research at the School of Dentistry.”

Jahromi, who graduated from UCLA in 1994 with a bachelor’s degree in microbiology and molecular genetics, said her research at the School of Dentistry was related to other molecular research she conducted as an undergraduate. “I was fortunate to have received a great deal of support in my work from Dr. William Giannobile,” she said. Giannobile is an assistant professor in the School’s Department of Periodontics, Prevention, and Geriatrics.

Jahromi said she’s considering several post-graduate programs after she graduates next May. “I’m considering a number of options right now, but haven’t made any final decisions,” she said.

The U-M School of Dentistry is one of the nation’s leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction train future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. More information is available on the Web at http://www.dent.umich.edu.

orNancy Ross-Flanigan

School of DentistryDepartment of Periodontics, Prevention, and Geriatricshttp://www.dent.umich.edu