Theme: Stem Cell Biology in Craniofacial Tissues
Sponsored by: Craniofacial Biology, Mineralized Tissue, Neuroscience
Description: Disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) are a poorly understood cluster of diseases, ranging from neuromuscular pain to severe forms of arthritis.  Recently, stem/progenitor cells have been identified in TMJ disc and condyle, with potential origin from neural crest cells in development.  Putative TMJ stem/progenitor cells are subjected to local, hormonal and other systemic factors in homeostasis in multiple processes that warrant better elucidation.  In parallel, there is an acute demand in the clinical community for the regeneration of various TMJ components, including the disc, condyle, synovium and the mandible.  The four proposed talks in this multidisciplinary symposium represent broad and yet comprehensive approaches towards the understanding of the origin, homeostasis, differentiation, hormonal regulation and bioengineering of TMJ tissues.  This symposium, co-sponsored by the Craniofacial Biology, Mineralized Tissue and Neuroscience Groups, is anticipated to provide a rare forum for multidisciplinary discussion of the biology, engineering and clinical translation of fundamental discoveries towards novel clinical therapeutics.  The four speakers are leading scientists with expertise in stem cell biology, bioengineering, biomaterials and molecular biology.  The organizer of the session is another leading scientist in TMJ who will chair the session and stimulate discussion.  Collectively, this symposium will not only provide new aspects of a timely and under-studied subject of TMJ biology and therapeutics, but also use TMJ as a model for the study of other dental and craniofacial structures and diseases.
Learning Objectives:
To learn the forefront of craniofacial and TMJ stem/progenitor cells
To learn systemic regulators of craniofacial and TMJ stem/progenitor cells
To discuss multiple strategies towards regeneration and bioengineering of the TMJ