Grant Renewal Means New Therapeutic Interventions for Life-Threatening Fibrosis

Professor of Periodontology and Oral Biology Dr. Philip Trackman recently received renewed NIDCR funding for the study Growth Factors and Gingival Fibrosis. Fibrosis, the growth of excess tissue, is a potentially life-threatening condition. Trackman’s project investigates gingival tissue overgrowth and fibrosis that occurs most commonly as a side effect of specific medications.

The renewal marks the grant’s 11th year of funding. Trackman and researchers will receive approximately $1.7 million in support during the 2007-2012 period.

Trackman conducts his research along with Co-investigator Dr. Alpdogan Kantarci and utilizes the school’s Clinical Research Center, run by Director Dr. Thomas Van Dyke. Other contributors include former Oral Biology Ph.D. candidate and current postdoctoral researcher Sam Black, who received a training grant from the National Institutes of Health.

"So far, our results have allowed us to suggest specific therapeutic interventions for one form of fibrosis," Trackman says. "Ongoing studies will allow us to address the remaining forms of gingival overgrowth." The team’s research will provide additional insight into life-threatening forms of fibrosis in the lung and kidney tissue and skin.