Translational Research

In 1998 Dr. Thomas was encouraged to expand his unique role in Translational Research and became Director of the Clinical Research Laboratory of Microbial Pathology, focusing on the integration of dental, medical and environmental diseases through three linked pathways: biofilms, antibiotic resistance and outcomes. The theme: “Bench to Bed.” Support focused on industrial and biomedical resources that Dr. Thomas had developed over time.

Success resulted in the subsequent development of the Biofilm Research Laboratory (BRL) for Translational Studies in Medicine, Dentistry and Industry with significant funding as the PI via biomedical grants from TycoHealthcare/Nellcore, US Surgical and Pfizer. Primary focus is anti-biofilm management of endotrachs/ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) and soft tissue infections and he has engineered three biofilm models duplicating the clinical stress and nutritional environment: 1) a hydroxyapatite tooth, 2) the ventilator-endotrach-mechanical lung (VEL) and 3) the closed aerobic-anaerobic wound; patents are pending on the VEL model, which has been presented to the FDA. Biofilm quantitative imaging analysis focuses on FISH, COMSTAT and flow cytometry. An Outcomes Model has also been developed to track the cost of antibiotic resistance using 74 parameters.

The Biofilm Research Laboratory (BRL) is a centerpiece of the new WVU Center for Immunopathology and Microbial Pathogenesis, one of five WVU Medical School initiatives created in 2005 to stream-line university research.

Dr. Thomas is also a co-investigator for the Centers for Research to Reduce Oral Health Disparities (COHRA) under RFA: DE-99-003 supported by NIDR, a 7-year bi-university consortium (University of Pittsburgh) studying Oral Heal and Disparity in Appalchia. He is also the PI of the Supplemental Grant submitted in November 2005, entitled “Community and Family Contextual Influence on Oral Health.”

Dr. Thomas is on several federal and industrial/biomedical Review and Safety Boards.