Many of my efforts were focused on development and testing of new therapies for the treatment of Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune exocrinopathy with dramatic oral disease. These studies were done while working with Drs. Bruce Baum and Dr. Philip Fox. Dr. Barnes is involved in a number of clinical trials testing new dental materials and devices. He is currently testing ceramic crowns, at home bleaching units, air abrasion units, dental impression materials and dental adhesives.
Osteoclasts are the cells responsible for bone resorption.
The focus of the Dr. Chellaiah's research is to analyze the signaling mechanisms that are involved in osteoclast motility. Recent observations have demonstrated that the integrin-mediated recruitment of signaling molecules required for motility and bone resorption in response to OPN is absent in gelsolin null osteoclasts. Osteopontin deficiency, via defective osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and altered molecular mechanisms leads to increased bone mass and density, resulting in increased mechanical rigidity and strength. Further analysis of the sequences of OPN that are responsible for osteoclast adhesion and motility and how those sequences contribute to osteoclast migration are the ongoing researches projects in the laboratory. These include human pulpal studies and restorative application studies.