NIDCR Symposium Explores ‘Autotherapies’ on Jan. 25

On Thursday, Jan. 25, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research will convene a scientific symposium “Autotherapies:  Enhancing Our Innate Healing Capacity” in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10 from 8 a.m. to noon.

Advancing the development of autotherapies is one of the five goals of NIDCR 2030, a vision for the future of dental, oral and craniofacial research. Autotherapies are treatments based on the body’s natural ability to heal and protect itself.

For example, immunotherapy harnesses the body’s immune cells to fight cancer and is now in clinical use. In the dental, oral and craniofacial region, autotherapies could be used to selectively signal the body to repair and regenerate tissue, trigger immune responses and restore a natural microbial balance. These strategies might also help to heal damaged or diseased tissues in other parts of the body, prevent or treat infections, fight cancer, treat autoimmune conditions and enhance overall health.

In opening remarks, NIH principal deputy director Dr. Lawrence Tabak will provide an overview of the topic and goals of the event. The symposium will feature four presentations from experts in stem cell biology, craniofacial anomalies and regeneration, regenerative bioengineering and cancer immunotherapy.

The symposium is free and open to the public; no registration is required. The lecture will be videocast live and archived. Sign language interpretation is available upon request. Individuals who need accommodation should contact Mary Daum at Mary.Daum@nih.gov or (301) 594-7559.