School of Dentistry

Integrative Biomedical & Diagnostic Sciences

SOD RLSB Building Stock

Welcome to Integrative Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences

The Integrative Biomedical & Diagnostic Sciences Department is responsible for basic science instruction in anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, nutrition, pharmacology, and physiology. 

The Integrative Biomedical & Diagnostic Sciences (IBDS) is an interdisciplinary department. It is responsible for basic science instruction in anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, nutrition, pharmacology, and physiology to predoctoral dental students and advanced students in dental graduate or certificate programs. A number of faculty members participate in the University’s Ph.D. graduate training programs and collaborate in research projects with faculty in the School of Medicine and OHSU research institutes. Faculty members in this department also serve on university, dental school, departmental, and graduate training program committees.

The Department has active basic and applied research programs in the areas of cell and developmental biology, neurological science, protein biochemistry, and microbiology. In the 2002-2003 academic year, department faculty published 92 papers in scientific journals, with total grant support of $5.14 million mainly from outside agencies.

Department faculty participate in research training on several levels: through the Master of Science degree awarded by the Department; through the Ph.D. program of the School of Medicine; and through accepting and supporting postdoctoral fellows to participate in department research activities.

The IBDS Department has three major goals. The Educational Goal of the department is to provide contemporary information in specific areas of expertise to students in the School of Dentistry. The Department also strives to attract well-qualified visiting scientists, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and dental students to study and work in the various faculty research laboratories. The Research Goal of the department is to increase knowledge and understanding of structure and function, particularly as it relates to orofacial region. An essential part of our research goal is to publish new information and to obtain extramural funding to support meritorious research projects. The Service Goal is to provide an environment that encourages the transfer of research findings to the clinic, supports the teaching responsibilities of our School and University, and assists in the programmatic development of new scientific knowledge.

As an interdisciplinary department Integrative Biosciences has faculty from basic science instruction in anatomy, biochemistry, immunology, microbiology, neuroscience, nutrition, pharmacology, and physiology who teach and complete research. Many faculty members have joint appointments in Medical School departments and in interdisciplinary programs.

Meet our Faculty

The Department of Integrative Biomedical & Diagnostic Sciences carries a major teaching load and is responsible for the anatomy, biochemistry, microbiology, nutrition, neuroscience, pharmacology, and physiology instruction for first and second year dental students.

The aim of our teaching program is to provide an excellent foundation in basic information, with topics and emphasis directed at the clinical aspects of dental education. This teaching strategy has been well received by our students, who have frequently selected some member of the department for an "outstanding instructor" award

A major goal for the past several years has been to increase clinical correlations and problem-based-learning (PBL) in all our courses. The course instructors also strive to instill the commitment to a lifetime of learning in our students, to enable them to meet the evolving health needs of all segments of society.

The goal of integration between basic science and clinical application includes an emphasis on biological concepts rather than memorized facts, the use of problem-based-learning, and the use of the scientific approach in solving clinical problems. This goal corresponds to the recommendations of the recent report by the Institute of Medicine for an interactive curriculum with problem-oriented learning that emphasizes skills and competencies. We now have some type of clinical case studies and/or PBL in almost all of our courses.

We have begun to incorporate computer-enhanced instruction using cd-rom material into our courses and are developing Web-based modules as an additional resource for students.

 

In the news

Dr. Stephanie Momeni

Dr. Stephanie Momeni was featured in ASM (American Society for Microbiology) "Follow Your Passion" Spotlight for November 2022. She is a Postdoctoral Scholar in Dr. Hui Wu's Lab. Her research is focused on investigating the role of oral microbiota on overall human health. Dr. Momeni's current postdoctoral research is concentrated on the identification and role of novel metabolites in early childhood caries.

Contact us

503-494-8904

OHSU School of Dentistry
Integrative Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences
2730 S.W. Moody Avenue
Portland, OR 97201-5042
schwarm@ohsu.edu

Robertson Life Sciences Building

Modern building with silver, wood, and glass siding sits in front of a blue sky.
2730 S. Moody Avenue
Portland, Oregon 97201