Home Department: Undeclared
Mentor: Jill Helms (Surgery - Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery)

"A Step Toward Longer Lasting Implants: Using Increased Wnt Protein Signaling for Better Attachment of the Implant to the Surrounding Peri-Implant Epithelium"

Infections around dental implants are mostly due to the weak barrier functions of the peri-implant epithelium (PIE) in contrast to the junctional epithelium (JE) surrounding teeth. The PIE exhibits weaker attachment to the implant surface with decreased tissue maturation and lower levels of hemidesmosomal proteins that mediate attachment. Wnt signaling in the JE has shown to be important in maintaining adhesion of epithelium to the underlying structure. Mimicking this biological process, my project focuses on developing a therapeutic that enhances Wnt signaling in the PIE, with outcomes measured by analysis of the assembly of hemidesmosomes and their protein components.