6/19/07

The Dr Samuel D. Harris National Museum of Dentistry, in Baltimore, which opened on June 16, offers summer visitors a look at the possibilities of growing new teeth, gene therapeutics for salivary glands, and new careers to make it happen.

The exhibit “Bioengineering: Making a New You” explores how the genetic secrets unlocked by the Human Genome Project and the science of bioengineering are making new research possible. The exhibit traces a history from tooth replacement in ancient Egypt through 21st century visions of growing natural teeth from stem cells and inserting genes in salivary glands to treat systemic disorders such as diabetes.

[ADA, June 7, 2007]