The University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine has renamed its former Department of Craniofacial Biology to the Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences. The change is intended to more accurately represent the breadth of research conducted across its faculty and research teams.
Current work within the department spans multiple domains, including craniofacial and oral biology, cellular and molecular mechanisms governing orofacial development, genetic underpinnings of both common and rare craniofacial conditions, and signaling pathways involved in cancer development and progression. These areas are complemented by a materials science program with established strengths in polymer chemistry and dental biomaterials. The updated name reflects an effort to align the department’s identity with its multidisciplinary research portfolio.
Bringing Scientists Together
Professor and Department Chair David Clouthier, PhD, described the shared research objective as an effort “to bring together a lively group of scientists to study the craniofacial complex across development, disease and regeneration, using multiple complementary methodologies.” This approach builds on longstanding contributions in craniofacial development, oral biology, and biomaterials research.
Vice Chair Katherine Fantauzzo, PhD, added, “The new name better reflects the multifaceted approach that we take towards understanding craniofacial development and disease.” The revised title highlights the integration of diverse scientific approaches and more clearly communicates the department’s scope to academic and clinical collaborators.
Ongoing projects illustrate the intersection of biological and materials science research. These include the development of 3D inkjet-printed dentures and antimicrobial biomaterials aimed at reducing microbial colonization on prosthetic surfaces. Additional investigations focus on novel in utero approaches for cleft lip treatment, therapeutic strategies for patients with newly identified gene variants associated with craniofacial and cardiovascular differences, the role of RNA splicing defects in craniofacial anomalies, and mechanisms underlying phenotypic variation in craniofacial development.
This integrated research framework supports studies across the lifespan, from congenital craniofacial conditions to age-related tissue changes. It also facilitates translational efforts in regenerative therapies, biomaterials development and disease-modifying strategies, allowing parallel lines of inquiry to be presented within a unified structure.
Anticipation of Future Growth
The updated department name also aligns with upcoming recruitment efforts, including a planned open-rank tenure-track faculty search. Areas of interest include craniofacial and oral biology, with potential focus on developmental biology, cell and molecular biology, genetics, genomics, epigenomics, regenerative science, systems biology and data science.
Incorporation of the term “oral” in the department’s name underscores its clinical and translational relevance, particularly for dental clinicians and oral health researchers whose work intersects with these focus areas.
The department continues to maintain a strong record of external funding, including support from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Trainees, including graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, have also secured individual NIH fellowships and career development awards, reflecting sustained engagement in research and mentorship.
The Department of Craniofacial, Oral and Materials Sciences moves forward with a revised identity that reflects its established research strengths and evolving priorities within craniofacial and oral health sciences.
Source: University of Colorado Anschutz School of Dental Medicine
