Research Centers and Institutes

The UCLA School of Dentistry operates one institute and two centers.

Dental Research Institute

Vision

The vision of the Dental Research Institute, as an organized research unit (ORU) of UCLA, is to become the preeminent orofacial research center in the United States by fostering excellence in research, professional research training and public education.

Mission

The UCLA Dental Research Institute (DRI) is an organized research unit of the University of California at Los Angeles. Its mission is to study the basic mechanisms of disease in the orofacial region and perform original research, which will improve the ability to understand, recognize and treat orofacial disease. This Institute is comprised of scientists trained in molecular biology, cancer research, microbiology/immunology, virology, biochemistry, pharmacology, pathology, genetics and developmental biology, neurobiology, and neurophysiology, among other disciplines.

As part of its mission, the Dental Research Institute also sponsors several annual educational activities for its members, the scientific community, and for graduate students in the UCLA Center for the Health Sciences. In a unique manner, the DRI confers master's of science and Ph.D. degrees, and trains future academic dentists for dental school faculties.

Membership

There are two categories of membership in the DRI: active and associate. Consideration for membership requires a written request made to the director which must be accompanied by a current curriculum vitae.

Active members must exhibit: (a) a promising record of research accomplishments, including research articles in peer-reviewed journals of high quality and evidence of significant extramural funding, (b) on-going research activity in one of the scientific areas pertinent to the mission of the DRI, (c) willingness to participate in the educational activities sponsored by the DRI, and (d) at least 50% faculty status at UCLA.

Associate members are non-voting members who have an interest in DRI activities, wish to be maintained on the DRI roster for the purposes of staying informed, or are pursuing dental research or activities in areas outside the mission of the DRI.

Regular series faculty members, adjunct faculty and equivalent research series faculty may qualify for DRI membership, however Academic Senate members shall always constitute a majority of the membership.

Jane and Jerry Weintraub Center for Reconstructive Biotechnology

Biomedical science now stands on the threshold of a newand uncharted era of discovery which promises to revolutionize the treatment of facial defects. Advances in stem cell biology, gene therapy and nanotechnology are increasing the likelehood that in the not-too-distant future we will be repairing the devastation caused by birth defects, cancer, or trauma by regenerating skin, bone, and soft tissue. The impact of such an achievement will be remarkable and far-reaching. Please visit the Weintraub Center website for more information. http://www.weintraub.dent.ucla.edu/

Dental Clinical Research Center

The Dental Clinical Research Center (DCRC) is located in the School of Dentistry. This facility occupies a total of 300 square feet and maintains two fully equipped dental operatories. The center is staffed by one part-time study coordinator and a part-time director, Dr. Lawrence E. Wolinsky, who is currently a full professor in the School of Dentistry. The facility coordinates and conducts all phases of human clinical investigational study. Proposed study protocols are designed in accordance with Human Subjects Protection Board (IRB) regulations.

The center, with the present director, has been in existence for approximately eight years. The DCRC supports a wide range of clinical research projects. In a typical year the DCRC may conduct two to three large clinical projects. Past investigations have included studies on new therapies for the treatment of gum disease and tooth decay.

The facility operates under the Food and Drug Administration guidelines for Good Clinical Practice. The DCRC has gained a national reputation for providing the highest quality research. This reputation has resulted in increased interest by corporate sponsors to conduct dental clinical trials at UCLA. This facility is open to all School investigators. Interested persons can contact Dr. Wolinsky at UCLA (310) 825-0030.