The Tennessee Clinical and Translational Science Institute (TN-CTSI) continues to support innovative research for improving the health of Tennesseans, most recently by awarding pilot funding to Wenjing Zhang, MD, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Genetics, Genomics, and Informatics for her project entitled “De novo periodontal ligament regeneration using Biosynsphere technology”.
Dr. Zhang is collaborating with co-PI George Huang, DDS, DSc, Professor of Bioscience Research in the College of Dentistry, on the project. Using the cutting-edge technology of Biosynphere, a bio-ink used in stem-cell derived 3D bioprinting, the team aims to create periodontal ligament-covered roots for regeneration of the periodontal ligament on avulsed teeth. The team will conduct in vitro tests, followed by testing the regeneration of PDL in animal models.
The $20,000 award was part of a TN CTSI pilot funding opportunity designed to stimulate innovative, interdisciplinary, team-based health disparities research, with the ultimate goal of giving rise to future extramural funding.
