Microbial Pathogenesis

Microbial pathogenesis is the study of the mechanisms by which various pathogens cause human disease. Research in microbial pathogenesis addresses the development of antimicrobial agents and mechanisms of antimicrobial drug resistance. Training in the mechanisms of microbial pathogens is essential in order to understand and examine the pathophysiology of the oral cavity. Likewise, the oral cavity provides a microcosm for pathological processes occurring elsewhere in the body and therefore serves as an excellent model for the study of microbial pathogenesis. The scope of microbial pathogenesis is intentionally broad to include the fields of cancer biology, microbiology, immunology, virology, cell biology, genetics, tissue biology, and neuroscience. Microbial pathogens encompass a wide variety of entities representing multiple kingdoms. They include bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites and together account for a large percentage of acute and chronic human diseases, including those of the oral cavity. Answering fundamental questions regarding host-microbe interactions requires an interdisciplinary approach, including microbiology, genomics, informatics, molecular biology, biochemistry, immunology, epidemiology and cell biology. Learn more by clicking on the research faculty listed below.
 

John F. Sheridan, PhD
Caroline C. Whitacre, PhD

Dental Emergency Care Clinic

Monday-Thursday
7:30 a.m.-12 p.m.

Friday
7:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m.

Student Dental Clinics

Monday-Friday
8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m.

Ohio State Dental Faculty Practice

Monday-Friday
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Upper Arlington Dental Clinic

Monday
7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Tuesday-Thursday
7:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

Friday
7:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.