6.53	Oral Biology

Head: R. Bhullar
General Office: 780 Bannatyne Avenue
Telephone: (204) 789 3705
Fax: (204) 789 3913
E-mail: oral_biology@umanitoba.ca
Website: www.umanitoba.ca/dentistry/oral_biology

Academic Staff

Program Information
The Department of Oral Biology was the first of its kind in North America and reflects the longstanding philosophy that dental education should include a strong science base provided by academic staff with major commitments to undergraduate dentistry and basic dental/medical research. This approach fosters not only the teaching of material relevant to dentistry, but serves to integrate the sciences into the various clinical programs. Associated with this philosophy is the concept that such committed faculty would also foster Faculty research supporting a graduate program in Oral Biology, as well as providing research and teaching expertise for the clinical graduate and postgraduate programs. Today, Oral Biology at Manitoba is recognised nationally and internationally as an outstanding basic science research department.

The Department of Oral Biology offers graduate instruction and research leading to MSc and PhD degrees in a unique environment. Because of the size of the department, individual instruction and direction in research is a cornerstone of the graduate experience. The graduate programme is designed to accommodate students seeking career opportunities in oral biology or in related basic dental and medical science disciplines. At the heart of the Oral Biology program is the requirement in both degrees for the completion of a substantial and original research project in the laboratory of a faculty member. In most cases, the research undertaken will fall within the area of expertise of the faculty member and will employ the most up-to-date techniques available in the field. In addition students are required to complete a number of formally instructed courses in oral biology and/or related disciplines. The diversity of scientific areas within the Department of Oral Biology allows students to be accepted with either an appropriate professional degree or a B.Sc. (Hons.) with satisfactory background in the biological sciences. In addition, the Department of Oral Biology offers a Pre-Master's Program for selected students with general undergraduate degrees.

The Department of Oral Biology, as a leader in oral biology research, has established connections with numerous researchers and institutes all over the world. Ongoing research collaborations include those with universities in the United States, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. The Faculty of Dentistry consistently ranks among the top three dental faculties in Canada for basic science research. Basic science and clinical/basic science research has received high levels of funding from the Medical Research Council of Canada for more than 30 years.

Recipients of higher degrees from the Department of Oral Biology have been extremely successful following graduation. Recent graduates have either secured positions, or are completing further training, at the universities of British Columbia, Florida, Harvard, Laval and with the federal government.

Fields of Research
Cell biologists are studying the molecular/genetic mechanisms involved in the development and function of orofacial tissues in the healthy and disease states. Studies are also proceeding on the effects of tobacco smoke components on the structure and function of fetal lung cells and lung surfactant. Researchers in the department are investigating interactions in the brain that regulate neurotransmitter molecules in the progression of such disorders as depression and schitzophrenia. Others, with an interest in natural medicine, are examining the effects of plant extracts in countering ear infections and hearing loss. Cell signaling/regulation studies continue on a number of fronts, including the role of the calcium-activated protease, calpain, in cell proliferation; the generation and action of membrane phospholipid-associated second messengers in exocrine secretion; and the central role/mechanisms of GTP-binding regulatory proteins and protein kinases in platelet function. The use of nanobiotechnology in diagnosis and therapy is also being explored. A study on gene expression in enamel formation in normal and abnormal teeth is being carried out.

Research Facilities
The faculty has modern laboratories with state-of-the-art equipment for research in microbiology, physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology. Excellent tissue and cell culturing facilities are present as is unique equipment for such specialities as atomic absorption spectroscopy, chemostat bacterial culture and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy through collaborations with NRC. Excellent clinical facilities also provide opportunities for graduate students to carry out orthodontic and periodontal work. These facilities, when combined with basic science and biomaterials laboratories, allow for the effective integration of research and clinical practice.

M.Sc. in Oral Biology

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. Students should possess an appropriate professional degree or B.Sc. (Hons.) degree with a satisfactory background in biological sciences or satisfactory completion of a pre-master’s program in the Department of Oral Biology. The qualifications of all students applying for admission to the M.Sc. programs in Oral Biology will be assessed by the Department of Oral Biology Committee on Graduate Studies and Research and a recommendation made to the head of the department. Students with other degrees or backgrounds may be eligible for admission to a pre-Master’s program to the satisfaction of the department. Contact the department for information.

Application Deadlines
Applications should be received in the department of Oral Biology by the dates indicated below:

Session	Start Date	Canadian/U.S.	Non-Canadian
Regular	September	June 1	March 1
Winter	January	October 1	July 1
Spring	May	February 1	November 1
Summer	July	April 1	January 1

Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. The M.Sc. program requires satisfactory completion of course requirements as specified by each student’s supervisory committee and a thesis based on original research. Minimum course requirements are 12 credit hours which must include course ORLB 7190 Communication Skills in Dental Research (unless students have previous credit for this or an equivalent course). Courses taken during the pre-Master’s program cannot be transferred as credits towards the Master’s program. M.Sc. students are expected to attend all departmental seminars. Students shall present one seminar on their research to the department each year, updating it each year. In addition, students must pass an oral examination on the subject of the thesis and matters relating thereto. The examination shall be open to all members of the university community who wish to attend. The form of the oral examination shall be the same as that for the Ph.D. thesis oral examination described in the Faculty of Graduate Studies Regulations governing the Ph.D. program.

Second Language Reading Requirement: none

Expected Time to Graduate: dependent on progress

Ph.D. in Oral Biology

Admission
Admission requirements are those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. A M.Sc. degree is required, although students of exceptional or proven ability holding an appropriate professional degree or a B.Sc. (Hons.) degree may be admitted. The qualification of all students applying for admission to the Ph.D. program will be assessed by the Department of Oral Biology Committee on Graduate Studies and Research and a recommendation made to the head of the department.

A student whose knowledge of the field of Oral Biology is in doubt, after first registration for the degree, may be required to take a qualifying examination within the first 12 months of study at the discretion of the advisory committee. It is the responsibility of the committee to organize this examination.

The qualifying examination, which will consist of a written and an oral component, will be administered as in the candidacy examination. The result will be indicated as “pass” or “fail.” A student who fails will be required to withdraw.

Application Deadlines
Applications should be received in the department of Oral Biology by the dates indicated below:

Program Requirements
Minimum program requirements of the Faculty of Graduate Studies are found in the Graduate Studies Regulations Section of this Calendar. The Ph.D. program requires satisfactory completion of course requirements as determined by each student’s advisory committee and a thesis based on original research. Minimum course requirements shall be 12 credit hours at the 700/7000 level beyond the Master’s degree, and must include course ORLB 7190 Communication Skills in Dental Research (unless students have previous credit for this or an equivalent course). Courses taken during the pre-Master’s and Master’s programs cannot be transferred as credits towards the Ph.D. program. Ph.D. students are expected to attend all departmental seminars. Students shall present at least one seminar on their own research to the department each year.

Second language requirement: none

Expected time to graduation: dependent on progress

Course Descriptions

ORLB 7030 Glandular Metabolism and Secretion Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.703) Lectures and seminars dealing with all aspects of membrane transport and processes associated with transport within the cell.

ORLB 7090 Pharmacology and Therapeutics Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.709) A combined lecture and seminar course on the pharmacological basis of therapeutics. Special attention will be paid to drugs used commonly in the practice of dentistry, their side effects and their interaction.

ORLB 7100 Oral Microbial Ecology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.710) Study of principles of ecology in relation to the various ecosystems in the oral cavity. In depth examination of the taxonomic relationships of oral bacterial species. Emphasis will be placed on the growth and metabolic activities of oral bacteria which lead to successful colonization of the mouth.

ORLB 7110 Infectious Diseases and the Oral Cavity Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.711) The description of the aetiology of microbial infections in the mouth and infections elsewhere in the body which involve oral bacteria. The control of such infections by vaccines, antibiotics and antimicrobial drugs. Treatment of infections in the immuno-suppressed, post operative infections and nosocomial infections. The relationships of host immune system to the oral flora.

ORLB 7120 Special Problems in Oral Biology Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.712) Each student will be required to carry out a minor research project in an area of oral biology other than that of their thesis work. The results of this project will be presented in a seminar and submitted as a written report.

ORLB 7130 Macromolecular Interactions of Connective Tissue in Health and Disease Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 100.713) A comprehensive study of the macromolecular constituents of connective tissue, of their synthesis, metabolism, macromolecular interaction in health and disease, and of their regulatory mechanisms.

ORLB 7180 Recent Advances in Oral Biology Cr.Hrs.6 (Formerly 100.718) This course is given by staff in the form of lectures and tutorials. Additional lectures may be given by visiting scientists. Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the relevant literature and are examined for an in-depth appreciation of the topics covered.

ORLB 7190 Communication Skills in Dental Research Cr.Hrs.3 (Formerly 100.719) A course to develop written, visual and oral communication skills in scientific and clinical disciplines related to dentistry.