It Didn’t Rain on BU Endo Department’s Hawaiian Parade

Record-breaking rain didn’t dampen the spirits of the BU endo community as it gathered last week in Honolulu for the annual session of the American Association of Endodontists. Faculty, alumni, and residents attended continuing education courses centered around the theme of raising the standard of endodontic care.

Congratulations to residents Alan Tang ENDO 06, Esther Tam DMD 03 ENDO 06, and Marie Gosselin ENDO 07, whose research presentations were honored during the session’s awards breakfast April 1.Tang’s poster presentation described the “Characterization of a novel scaffold for tissue engineering.” Tam and Gosselin gave an oral presentation entitled “The osteogenic effects of mineral trioxide aggregate and modified mineral trioxide aggregate on normal human osteoblast cells.” They all conducted their research under the mentorship of Dr. Laisheng Chou, professor of restorative sciences/biomaterials.

Two other residents also gave presentations: Suneel Kandru ENDO 07, on how “Diabetes enhances mRNA levels of pro-apoptotic genes that contribute to impaired healing,” and Christine Melito ENDO 07, on “The role of advanced glycosylated end products in the stimulation of signaling pathways in fibroblast apoptosis and the proposed association with the formation of type II diabetes mellitus wound-healing complications.” Both residents worked with Dr. Dana Graves, professor of periodontology and oral biology.

Says Dr. Jeffrey Hutter, associate dean for academic affairs and chair of the endodontics department, "It is always a good feeling coming home knowing that BU was well represented at the AAE annual session and that the research performed at our school is recognized by our peers as being second to none."