Cover Story

A Crowning Achievement

Scientists from the School of Dentistry s CCMB strive to do as Mother Nature does and make a human tooth... But first they need to know how she does it.

How Lungs Learn to Breathe

Jing-Song Zhao studies the control mechanisms behind lung branching morphogenesis.

Yeast and Teeth

It may not be the relationship you're expecting.

Job Well Done

Summer 2000 marks Michael Mogass and Larry Zhou's graduation from the CBY Ph.D. program.

PBL vs. Traditional

A few reasons why PBL dental students make the trek over to the CCMB for their academic training.

Written and produced by
Kirsten Dalrymple

Cover by
Enrique Gonzales

A Welcome Note from the Director

Friends and Colleagues, 

Welcome to the second issue of BITES. We appreciate all the positive responses that we received following the publication of the first issue and believe that BITES provides a dynamic format for the research conducted at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology. The feature article in this issue highlights a newly emerging area linking basic biomedical research and clinical applications. The field of biomimetics is rapidly developing and CCMB has a leadership position. This achievement of CCMB scientists was most recently recognized when Professor Malcolm Snead was awarded a MERIT Award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. In the award letter Lawrence Tabak, Director NIDCR, indicated that Malcolm's selection as a MERIT Awardee "is recognizing you as a leader in biomimetics and is paying tribute to your sustained contribution to that field of dental and craniofacial research." All of us in CCMB extend our congratulations to Malcolm for this prestigious recognition. 

This issue of BITES also features an article on yeast twohybrid technology and a junior faculty profile of Jing-Song Zhao. Two of our Craniofacial Biology graduate students, Larry Zhou and Michael Mogass, have received their Pill and their research activity to complete this highest university degree is presented. The impression of students in our Problem Based Learning program is also reviewed and is particularly timely since the USC School of Dentistry has made the decision to have the entire first year class starting in September 2001 enter a PBL curriculum. The educational achievements of the PBL students reflect the commitment of all the CCMB faculty to the development of outstanding programs in research, education and service.

All the Best, 

Charles F. Shuler, D.M.D., Ph.D.