Daniela Mendonça, DDS, MSc, PhD, is the winner of the 2018 International Association for Dental Research (IADR) Academy of Osseointegration Innovation in Implant Sciences Award. A clinical assistant professor in biologic and materials sciences in the University of Michigan School of Dentistry’s Division of Prosthodontics, Mendonça was selected for her research, “Effect of Nanotopography on Cell Population and Differentiation in Osteoporosis in vivo.”
Mechanisms that control osseointegration aren’t completely understood and include a diverse cell population that interacts at the implant surface, but very little is known about how these cells interact. Mendonça and her co-investigators propose to examine how titanium topography affects osseointegration in an osteoporotic mouse model in vivo by using a single-cell genomic approach to identify a cluster of cells.
The researchers hypothesize that topography affects osseointegration in cases of osteoporosis and hope that a better understanding of the role of cell population in implant/cell interactions in osteoporosis can lead to the development of novel implant surfaces with a more direct effect on bone cells.
“IADR is pleased that the Academy of Osseointegration is sponsoring this award for an eighth year,” said IADR president Angus William G. Walls. “IADR thanks the Academy of Osseointegration for their continued support, which allows dental, oral, and craniofacial researchers to create innovative discoveries that can be applied in clinical practice and be used to enhance oral health and quality of life.”
Supported by the Academy of Osseointegration, this is the eighth year of the award, which is intended to help investigators pursue innovation and novel research in oral care that involves but is not limited to dental implant therapy. Mendonça will receive an award of up to $75,000. She was recognized during the opening ceremonies of the 96th General Session of the IADR, held in London this week.
Related Articles
AO Honors New Fellows at Annual Meeting
Implant Coating Repels Bacteria and Facilitates Osseointegration
Guidelines Now Include Edentulous Maxilla Management
