Ann Arbor, MI — March 15, 2006 — A researcher in the University of Michigan School of Dentistry's Oral Health Sciences PhD program won first prize in a prestigious awards competition during the recent spring meeting of the American Association of Dental Research.

The researcher, Elisabeta Karl, received the top honor in the AADR/Pfizer Hatton Awards competition, senior division, for her work that is attempting to determine what role, if any, two proteins may play in angiogenesis, which is the formation and growth of new blood vessels from existing ones. The process helps the body repair itself following injury. However, in other instances, and for reasons that are still unknown, angiogenesis can contribute to the growth of tumors, such as oral cancers.

Investigating Growth and Spread of Tumors

"My research is trying to determine how two particular proteins (Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL) may work together, or how they may work independently to induce the formation of new blood vessels," she said. Karl said her research differs from most research in this area which tends to focus on cell survival.

"My hope is that, ultimately, we will learn more about this process and the role these proteins may play so that we can try to control the growth and spread of tumors," Karl said. "With that knowledge, I hope that someday we will be able to help control the growth and spread of not just oral cancers, but other cancers as well."

For winning the top award, Karl received $1,000 and will have an opportunity to compete with other researchers from around the world at this summer's International Association of Dental Research program.

Karl's mentor is Dr. Jacques Nor, an associate professor of dentistry, who won two Hatton Awards from both the American Association of Dental Research and the International Association of Dental Research in 1999 for his research on how blood vessel survival affects the growth of oral tumors.

Karl said she had to explain her work to a panel of judges and then answer their questions afterwards. Prior to making her presentation in Florida, she said she practiced her presentation "several times before my peers, including Kathleen Neiva, Elliott Hill, and Andrew Fribley, who won this award two years ago. They provided some valuable insights that helped me win this award."

Associate Dean for Research and PhD Training, Dr. Charlotte Mistretta, praised Karl and her work.

"Elisabeta came to the OHS PhD program five years ago with a prestigious scholarship from the Brazilian government. Since then, she has more than realized her potential to excel as an emerging scientist, as exemplified by the Hatton Award," Mistretta said. "She is totally committed to her science and also thinks deeply about our world. Elisabeta will one day be a fine faculty member in academic dentistry and always will remain a scientist of depth and sensitivity."

The University of Michigan School of Dentistry is one of the nation's leading dental schools engaged in oral health care education, research, patient care, and community service. General dental care clinics and specialty clinics providing advanced treatment enable the School to offer dental services and programs to patients throughout Michigan. Classroom and clinic instruction prepare future dentists, dental specialists, and dental hygienists for practice in private offices, hospitals, academia, and public agencies. Research seeks to discover and apply new knowledge that can help patients worldwide. For more information about the School of Dentistry, visit the Web at: www.dent.umich.edu.

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