Richard L. Gregory

Biography

Associate Dean for Graduate Education Professor of Biomedical and Applied Sciences and Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Adjunct Professor of Preventive and Community Dentistry Director, PhD. Dental Science Program School of Dentistr

Research Interest

Dr. Gregory's research has been funded by grants from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, National Institute of Heart and Lung, Smokeless Tobacco Research Council and numerous industrial projects. Current efforts are focused on mucosal biofilm biology with specific interests in oral bacteria, particularly Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. To help understand the complex biofilm interactions in Streptococcus mutans-induced caries formation, we are defining the role bacterial cell surface proteins play in colonization and bacterial atherosclerosis/endocarditis. Mechanisms that may diminish colonization of S. mutans cells to enamel surfaces and cardiac tissue are being explored. The effect of tobacco on S. mutans virulence is a major focus. Inhibitory factors being investigated include botanical agents, mucosal vaccines and neutralization of receptor sites. A sensitive and specific in vitro biofilm caries model system has been developed in this laboratory and is being used to assess the ability of various anti-microbial agents and antibodies in prevention of S. mutans colonization of enamel surfaces and caries formation. In addition, the model is used to determine the relative cariogenicity of oral microorganisms. His work is currently supported by a NIH U01 grant.