School of Dental Medicine - University at Buffalo

Genco, Robert DDS, PhD Distinguished Professor, Department of Oral Biology

Address:

Baird Research Park, 1576 Sweet Home Road, Suite 103, Amherst, NY 14228.

Buffalo, NY 14214

(716)645-3113

rjgenco@buffalo.edu

Faculty Profile

Professional Profile:

Dr. Genco received his D.D.S., cum laude, from the State University of New York at Buffalo School of Dentistry, 1963. He also received a Ph.D. from the University of Pennsylvania, in Microbiology and Immunology in 1967, and completed residency training in Periodontology at the University of Pennsylvania in 1967.

Currently, Dr. Genco is a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Oral Biology, School of Dental Medicine, and in the Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He served as Interim Provost in 2004, and as Vice President for Research in 2004-2005. In 2001, Dr. Genco was appointed Vice Provost and Director of Science, Technology Transfer and Economic Outreach (STOR) at the State University of New York at Buffalo. He continues to serve in this position. STOR has the responsibility for effective transfer of UB's inventions and discoveries to benefit society and contribute to the regional economy. During this period, UB's STOR has processed over 600 inventions from the UB faculty, executed over 100 licenses, and started 45 companies from these technologies. STOR also oversees the UB Baird Incubator which has graduated over 70 start-up companies in its 20 years in existence.

Dr. Genco has been a member of the Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences since 1988. He also has the following awards: Basic Research in Oral Science Award (IADR), Deans Medal, George Thorn Award, Research in Periodontal Disease Award (IADR), and Gold Medal for Excellence in Research (American Dental Association). He recently received the SUNY Research Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award, and the University at Buffalo' President's Medal. He was Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Periodontology from 1988-2006, and is currently Editor Emeritus.

Dr. Genco has over 340 publications and has edited 12 books or Proceedings of Symposia, and has been awarded 10 patents. Several of his patents have been licensed to Therex LLC, a drug development company of which he is also a founder.

Research Profile

Dr. Genco's laboratories and clinics are involved in studies of oral infections. Initial studies focus on the role of oral flora in periodontal diseases, specifically the virulence factors of P. gingivalis, concentrating on molecular genetic studies of fimbriae and fimbrial-mediated interactions and more recently on toll-like receptors as they are stimulated by bacterial products. On the host side, we have assessed risk factors for periodontal disease among behavioral, environmental, and genetic factors. His group convincingly showed that smoking, stress, and calcium deficiency are important risk factors for periodontal disease. His group has carried out extensive studies on diabetes mellitus as a risk factor for periodontal disease using Native American and Caucasian populations for these studies. Dr. Genco and his colleagues were among the first to show that periodontal infections in people with diabetes mellitus led to worsened glycemic control, and increased risk for heart disease and kidney disease. His group also showed that treatment of periodontal disease in diabetes leads to improved glycemic control, and the treatment procedures developed for this study are used nationally in Native American populations who suffer from severe diabetes and periodontal disease. Also studied are the effects of reduced bone density as found in postmenopausal women, and estrogen deficiency on oral bone loss. He also has carried out a series of studies on the effects of oral infections on cardiovascular and cerebrovascular disease.

Another area of interest and activity is in tissue engineering. We are developing regenerative procedures using growth factors and other materials for regeneration of the periodontium and bone around implants. We are developing nonoparticle ceramics for bone regeneration and repair.

Representative Publications Search Publications in MEDLINE

Representative Books and Publications:

Offenbacher S, Beck JD, Moss K, Mendoza L, Paquette DW, Barrow DA, Couper DJ, Stewart DD, Falkner KL, Graham SP, Grossi S, Gunsolley JC, Madden T, Maupome G, Trevisan M, Van Dyke TE, Genco RJ. Results from the Periodontitis and Vascular Events (PAVE) Study: A Pilot multicentered, randomized, controlled trial to study effects of periodontal therapy in a secondary prevention model of cardiovascular disease. J. Periodontol. 80:190-201, 2009.

Genco RJ. Clinical innovations in managing inflammation and periodontal diseases: The workshop on inflammation and periodontal diseases. J. Periodontol. 79:1609-1611, 2008.

Johnson L, Genco RJ, Damsky C, Haden NK, Hart S, Hart TC, Shuler CF, Tabak LA. Genetics and its implications for clinical dental practice and education: Report of Panel 3 of the Macy Study. J. Dent. Educ. 72(2 Suppl):86-94, 2008.

Brennan-Calanan RM, Genco RJ, Wilding GE, Hovey KM, Trevisan M, Wactawaski-Wende J. Osteoporosis and Oral Infection: Independent Risk Factors for Oral Bone Loss. J. Dent. Res. 87(4):323-327, 2008.

Beck JD, Couper DJ, Falkner KL, Graham SP, Grossi SG, Gunsolley JC, Madden T, Maupome G, Offenbacher S, Stewart DD, Trevisan M, Van Dyke TE, Genco RJ. The Periodontitis and Vascular Events (PAVE) Pilot Study: Adverse Events. J. Periodontol. 79(1):90-96, 2008.

Couper DJ, Beck JD, Falkner KL, Graham SP, Grossi SG, Gunsolley JC, Madden T, Maupome G, Offenbacher S, Stewart DD, Trevisan M, Van Dyke TE, Genco RJ. The Periodontitis and Vasular Events (PAVE) Pilot Study: Recruitment, Retention, and Community Care Controls. J. Periodontol. 79(1):80-89, 2008.

Andriankaja OM, Genco RJ, Dorn J, Dmochowski J, Hovey K, Falkner KL, Trevisan M. Periodontal Disease and Risk of Myocardial Infarction: The Role of Gender and Smoking. Eur. J. Epidemiol. 22(10):699-705, 2007.

Brennan RM, Genco RJ, Hovey KM, Trevisan M, Wactawski-Wende J. Clinical attachment loss, systemic bone density, and subgingival calculus in postmenopausal women. J. Periodontol 78:2104-2111, 2007.

Shultis WA, Weil EJ, Looker HC, Curtis JM, Shlossman M, Genco RJ, Knowler WC, Nelcon RG. Effect of Periodontitis on Overt Nephropathy and End-Stage Renal Disease in Type 2 Diabetes. Diabetes Care 30(2):306-311, 2007.

Genco RJ, Falkner KL, Grossi S, Dunford R, Trevisan M. Validity of Self-Reported Measures for Surveillance of Periodontal Disease in Two Western New York Population-Based Studies. J. Periodontol. 78(7 Suppl):1439-1454, 2007.

Eke PI, Genco RJ. CDC Periodontal Disease Surveillance Project: Background, objectives, and profgress report. J. Periodontol. 78(7 Suppl):1366-1371, 2007.

Mass W, Genco RJ. CDC Periodontal Disease Surveillance Project could help states plug data gaps. J. Periodontol. 78(7 Suppl):1178, 2007.

Brennan RM, Genco RJ, Wilding GE, Hovey KM, Trevisan M, Wactawski-Wende J. Bacterial species in subgingival plaque and oral bone loss in postmenopausal women. J. Periodontol 78:1051-1061, 2007.

Adriankaja OM, Genco RJ, Dorn, Dmochowski J, Hovey K, Falkner K, Scannapieco F, Trevisan M: The Use of Different Measurements and Definitions of Periodontal Disease in the Study of the Association Between Periodontal Disease and Risk of Myocardial Infarction. J Periodontol 77(6):1067-1073, 2006.

Lynch SE, Lavin PT, Genco RJ, Beasley WG, Wisner-Lynch LA. New Composite Endpoints to Assess Efficacy in Periodontal Therapy Clinical Trials. J. Periodontol. 77(8):1314-1322, 2006.

Tezal M, Scannapieco FA, Wactawski-Wende J, Grossi SG, Genco RJ. Supragingival plaque may modify the effects of subgingival bacteria on attachment loss. J. Periodontol. 77:808-813, 2006.

Nevins M, Giannobile WV, McGuire MK, Kao RT, Mellonig JT, Hinrichs JE, McAllister BS, Murphy KS, McClain PK, Nevins ML, Paquette DW, Han TJ, Reddy MS, Lavin PT, Genco RJ, Lynch SE. Platelet-derived growth factor stimulates bone fill and rate of attachment level gain: Results of a large multicenter randomized controlled trial. J. Periodontol. 76:2205-2215, 2005.

Genco RJ, Grossi SG, Ho A, Nishimura F, and Murayama Y. A Proposed Model Linking Inflammation to Obesity, Diabetes, and Periodontal Infections. J. Periodontol. 76(11 Suppl.):2075-2084, 2005.

Tezal M, Wactawski-Wende J, Grossi SG, Dmochowski J, Genco RJ. Periodontal Disease and the Incidence of Tooth Loss in Postmenopausal Women. J. Periodontol. 76(7):1123-1128, 2005.

Wactawski-Wende, Hausmann E, hovey K, Trevisan M, Grossi S, Genco RJ. The association between osteoporosis and alveolar crestal height in postmenopausal women. J. Periodontol. 76:2116-2124, 2005.

Wang HL, Greenwell H, Fiorellini J, Giannobile W, Offenbacher S, Salkin L, Townsend C, Sheridan P, Genco RJ. Periodontal regeneration. Research, Science and Therapy Committee. J. Periodontol. 76:1601-1622, 2005.

Yamamoto K, Kobayashi T, Grossi S, Ho AW, Genco RJ, Yoshie H, DeNardin E. Association of Fcgamma Receptor IIa Genotype with Chronic Periodontitis in Caucasians. J. Periodontol. 75(4):517-522, 2004.

Araujo MWB, Hovey K, Benedek F, Grossi S, Dorn J, Waktawski-Wende J, Genco RJ, Trevisan M: Reproducibility of Probing Depth Measurements Using a Constant Force Electronic Proge: Analysis of Inter- and Intraexaminer Variability. J Periodontol 74(12):1736-1740, 2003.

Henke CJ, Villa KF, Aichelmann-Reidy ME, Armitage GC, Eber RM, Genco RJ, Killoy WJ, Miller DP, Page RC, Polson AM, Ryder MI, Silva SJ, Somerman MJ, Van Dyke TE, Wolff LF, Evans CJ, Finkelman RD. An Economic Evaluation of a Chlorhexidine Chip for Treating Chronic Periodontitis: The CHIP (Chlorhexidine in Periodontitis) Study. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 132(11):1557-1569, 2001.

Noack B, Genco RJ, Trevisan M, Grossi S, Zambon JJ, DeNardin E. Periodontal Infections Contribute to Elevated Systemic C-Reactive Protein Level. J. Periodontol. 72(9):1221-1227, 2001.

Drisko CL, Cochran DL, Blieden T, Bouwsma OJ, Cohen RE, Damoulis P, Fine JB, Greenstein G, Hinrichs J, Somerman MJ, Iacono V, Genco RJ. Position Paper: Sonic and Ultrasonic Scalers in Periodontics. Research, Science and Therapy Committee of the American Academy of Periodontology. J. Periodontol. 71(11):1792-1801, 2000.

Wu T, Trevisan M, Genco RJ, Falkner KL, Dorn JP and Sempos CT: An Examination of the Relation Between Periodontal Health Status and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: Serum Total and HDL Cholesterol, C-Reactive Protein, and Plasma Fibrinogen. American Journal of Epidemiology 151(3):273-282, 2000.

Machtei EE, Schmidt M, Hausmann E, Grossi S, Dunford R, Davies G, Chandler J and Genco RJ: Outcomes Variables in Periodontal Research: Threshold Based Site Changes. J. Periodontol. 71:555-561, 2000.

Grossi SG, Genco RJ. Periodontal Disease and Diabetes Mellitus: A Two-Way Relationship. Review. Ann. Periodontol. 3(1):51-61, 1998.

Taylor GW, Burt BA, Becker MP, Genco RJ, Shlossman, M. Glycemic Control and Alveolar Bone Loss Progression in Type 2 Diabetes. Ann. Periodontol. 3(1):30-39, 1998.

Machtei EE, Hausmann E, Schmidt M, Grossi SG, Dunford R, Schifferle R, Munoz K, Davies G, Chandler J, Genco RJ. Radiographic and Clinical Responses to Periodontal Therapy. J. Periodontol. 69(5):590-595, 1998.

Taylor GW, Burt BA, Becker MP, Genco RJ, Shlossman M, Knowler WC and Pettitt DJ: Non-insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus and Alveolar Bone Loss Progression Over Two Years. J. Periodontol. 69:76-83, 1998.

Grossi SG, Skrepcinski FB, DeCaro T, Robertson DC, Ho AW, Dunford RG and Genco RJ: Treatment of Periodontal Disease in Diabetics Reduces Glycated Hemoglobin. J. Periodontol. 68:713-719, 1997.

Grossi SG, Zambon JJ, Machtei EE, Schifferle RE, Andreana S, Cummins D, Harrap G and Genco RJ. Effects of Smoking and Smoking Cessation on Healing After Mechanical Periodontal Therapy. J. Amer. Dent. Assoc. 128:599-607, 1997.

Machtei EE, Hausmann E, Grossi SG, Dunford R and Genco RJ: The Relationship Between Radiographic and Clinical Changes in the Periodontium. J. Periodontal Res. 32:661-666, 1997.

Taylor GW, Burt BA, Becker MP, Genco RJ, Shlossman M, Knowler WC and Pettitt DJ: Severe Periodontitis and Risk for Poor Glycemic Control in Subjects with Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. J. Periodontol. 67(Suppl): 1085-1093, 1996.

Grossi SG, Dunford RG, Ho A, Koch G, Machtei EE, Genco RJ. Sources of Error for Periodontal Probing Measurements. J. Periodontal Res. 31(5):330-336, 1996.

Grossi SG, Skrepcinski FB, DeCaro T, Zambon JJ, Cummins D and Genco RJ. Response to Periodontal Therapy in Diabetics and Smokers. J. Periodontol. 67(Suppl):1094-1102, 1996.

Zambon JJ, Grossi SG, Machtei EE, Ho AW, Dunford R, Genco RJ. Cigarette Smoking Increases the Risk for Subgingival Infection with Periodontal Pathogens. J. Periodontol. 67(10 Suppl.):1050-1054, 1996.

Grossi SG, Genco RJ, Machtei EE, Ho AW, Koch G, Dunford R, Zambon JJ and Hausmann E: Assessment of Risk for Periodontal Disease. II. Risk Indicators for Alveolar Bone Loss. J. Periodontol. 66: 23-29, 1995.

Machtei EE, Christersson LA, Grossi SG, Dunford R, Zambon JJ, Genco RJ. Clinical Criteria for the Definition of “Established Periodontitis”. J. Periodontol. 63(3):206-214, 1992.

Emrich LJ, Shlossman M, Genco RJ. Periodontal Disease in Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. J. Periodontol. 62(2):123-131, 1991.

Shlossman M, Knowler WC, Pettitt DJ, Genco RJ. Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Periodontal Disease. J. Am. Dent. Assoc. 121(4):532-536, 1990.

Nelson RG, Shlossman M, Budding LM, Pettitt DJ, Saad MF, Genco RJ, Knowler WC. Periodontal Disease and NIDDM in Pima Indians. Diabetes Care 13(8):836-840, 1990.

Zambon JJ, Reynolds H, Fisher JG, Shlossman M, Dunford R, Genco RJ. Microbiological and Immunological Studies of Adult Periodontitis in Patients with Noninsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. J. Periodontol. 59(1):22-31, 1988.

Books:

Periodontology at a Glance. V. Clerehugh, A. Tugnait, and R.J. Genco. Wiley-Blackwell, United Kingdom, 2009.

Periodontics Medicine, Surgery, and Implants. L.F. Rose, B.L. Mealey, R.J. Genco, and D.W. Cohen, Editors. Mosby Company, Inc., St. Louis, MO, 2004.

Periodontal Medicine. L.F. Rose, R.J. Genco, D.W. Cohen and B.L. Mealey, Editors. B.C. Decker Inc., Hamilton, Ontario, 2000.

Tissue Engineering. Applications in Maxillofacial Surgery and Periodontics. S.E. Lynch, R.J. Genco, and R.E. Marx, Editors. Quintessence Publishing Co. Inc., Carol Stream, IL, 1999.

Molecular Pathogenesis of Periodontal Diseases. R.J. Genco, S. Hamada, T. Lehner, J.R. McGhee, and S.E. Mergenhagen, Editors. ASM Publications, Washington, D.C., 1994.

Contemporary Periodontics. R.J. Genco, H. Goldman and D.W. Cohen, Editors. C.V. Mosby Company, St. Louis, MO, 1990.