Philips Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology

Program in tissue bioengineering receives support

The VCU Philips Institute of Oral and Craniofacial Molecular Biology is the School of Dentistry’s center for research into infectious, neoplastic and genetic diseases of the oral cavity, head and neck.

Established in 1999, the original 3,500-square-foot laboratory has recently been expanded to include another 6,000 square feet in the newly constructed W. Baxter Perkinson, Jr. Building.

Private support has played a key role in the institute’s origin and growth. More than $5 million was raised for the lab in the initial capital campaign, with the capstone gift of $1.25 million made by Dr. John F. Philips, a 1969 alumnus, honoring the memory of his father. A staunch supporter of the school, Philips continues his investment in the School of Dentistry with significant gifts and service on the school’s board of advisers. As an alumnus he has successfully engaged friends and classmates in support of the school.

Currently, the Philips Institute for Craniofacial Molecular Biology has seven principal investigators supported by four laboratory technicians, nine postdoctoral research associates, 14 graduate students, an administrative assistant and a grants specialist. The investigators work in several fields, including bacterial endocarditis, virulence of oral anaerobic bacteria and their roles in periodontal disease, regulatory mechanisms of bacterial virulence genes, mechanisms of head and neck carcinogenesis, and development of targeted therapeutics and chemokine signaling.

With the opening of the new Perkinson Building, researchers will be recruited to launch a new program in tissue bioengineering in collaboration with the School of Engineering. The new program also will enroll the school’s first Ph.D. students. These students will do their pre-dissertation course work in the School of Engineering and complete their dissertation work in the School of Dentistry under the supervision and mentorship of School of Dentistry faculty.

“With the addition of this exciting research program, I see a great opportunity to affect the lives of people in the future in ways not currently possible,” Philips said. “I am pleased to help the VCU School of Dentistry explore these visionary possibilities and make them a reality.”