Research & Scientific Publications
Clinical practice and research inform each other at their best – the clinic generates the questions, and research refines the answers that come back to shape how the clinic works. Dr. Adatrow’s research program has followed that pattern for more than two decades, concentrated in the areas where periodontology, implant surgery, and biomaterials science intersect most consequentially for patient outcomes.
The central thread across his published work is regenerative and reconstructive biology in the oral cavity — how soft and hard tissues heal, how engineered biomaterials can support that healing, and how surgical and prosthetic protocols translate those biological principles into predictable clinical results. Active research areas include guided bone regeneration and guided tissue regeneration, the development and characterization of electrospun chitosan nanofiber scaffolds for periodontal and peri-implant applications, genipin crosslinking strategies for improved scaffold stability, peri-implantitis pathogenesis and management, and, more recently, the application of machine learning to early oral pathology detection through OralVue AI.
Much of this work has been carried out in collaboration with the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Memphis, pairing clinical specialty expertise with the materials science and engineering capabilities required to take biomaterials from concept to characterization to translational application. The publications, presentations, and research projects listed below reflect that collaborative model and the questions it continues to pursue.
Research Portfolio
Oral Cancer Pharmacology
UAB · Indiana University
Periodontal Immunology & Microbiology
UTHSC · UT Grants
Chitosan Nanofiber Biomaterials
6+ Publications · U of Memphis
Implant Prosthetics & Peri-Implant Disease
Nobel Biocare · Intra-Lock
Periodontal Epidemiology & Clinical Trials
2025 · RCT Published
Research Area One
Dr. Adatrow’s earliest original research — conducted first at UAB (2002–2003) and subsequently at Indiana University in collaboration with the Department of Hematology and Oncology — examined pharmacological strategies for targeting oral malignancy.
At UAB, he investigated the effects of COX-2-targeting non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents on oral tumor cell lines, linking cyclo-oxygenase pharmacology to oral oncology. This work led to an invited lecture at UAB’s Department of Pathology in March 2003.
At Indiana, his research focused on DMAPT (Dimethylaminoparthenolide) — a water-soluble derivative of parthenolide — in human oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines. Supported by a Delta Dental Fund Research Grant (2004–2006) and a Masters Student Research Award from IUSD, this work was foundational to understanding how sesquiterpene lactone analogues might be exploited as targeted anti-cancer agents in head-and-neck malignancy.
Related Work
- COX-2 inhibitor effects on oral tumor cell lines — UAB Department of Pathology, 2002–2003
- DMAPT anti-cancer activity in oral squamous cell carcinoma — Indiana University, Delta Dental Fund Grant 2004–2006
Research Area Two
Following his arrival at UTHSC, Dr. Adatrow’s laboratory investigated how the lipopolysaccharides (LPS) of periodontal pathogens — bacterial cell-wall components that drive the host inflammatory response — interact with innate immune cells.
As Principal Investigator, he led a study on the stimulation of pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-18 by periodontal LPS, supported by two successive UT Alumni Academic Enrichment Grants totalling $17,000 plus student stipends.
Related studies examined LPS-mediated inhibition of MIP-1α secretion by monocytes, the role of secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor (SLPI) in modulating monocyte responses, and the binding of antimicrobial peptide human beta-defensin-3 (HBD-3) to periodontal pathogen LPS. Collectively these studies deepened understanding of the innate immune pathways linking periodontal infection to systemic inflammation.
Key Studies
- IL-18 stimulation by periodontal pathogen LPS — PI, UTHSC 2008–2010
- MIP-1α inhibition by LPS in cultured monocytes — UTHSC
- SLPI modulation of LPS-GMCSF–stimulated monocyte responses — UTHSC
- HBD-3 antimicrobial peptide binding to periodontal pathogen LPS — UTHSC
Research Area Three
Dr. Adatrow’s most extensively published research area involves electrospun chitosan nanofiber membranes for guided tissue regeneration (GTR) and guided bone regeneration (GBR) — a field at the interface of materials science, biomedical engineering, and clinical periodontology.
Working in collaboration with Dr. Joel Bumgardner’s laboratory at the University of Memphis, Dr. Adatrow contributed clinical expertise, study design, and mentorship to a body of work spanning basic science through pre-clinical animal models — producing six peer-reviewed publications between 2011 and 2018.
This work evaluated genipin-crosslinked chitosan mats for biocompatibility, biodegradation, antimicrobial activity (minocycline-loaded), suture pullout strength, and drug-release capacity. A 2018 study evaluated simvastatin-loaded membranes in rodent calvarial bone defects, demonstrating osteoinductive potential. Collectively, chitosan-based nanofibrous membranes were positioned as a promising alternative to conventional collagen GTR/GBR membranes with tunable drug-delivery capacity.
Selected Publications
- 2018 - Ghadri N, Adatrow P, et al. Simvastatin loaded chitosan nanofiber membranes in calvarial defects. J Biomater Nanobiotechnol
- 2017 - Su H, Adatrow P, et al. Post-electrospinning treatment to improve chitosan membrane fibrous structure for GBR. Biomedical Materials
- 2014 - Bavariya AJ, Adatrow PC, et al. Biocompatibility and degradation of genipin-crosslinked chitosan nanofiber membrane. JBMR Part B
- 2012 - Norowski PA, Adatrow PC, et al. Novel naturally crosslinked nanofibrous chitosan mats for GBR. J Tissue Eng Regen Med
- 2012 - Norowski PA, Adatrow PC, et al. Antimicrobial activity of minocycline-loaded chitosan mats. JBNB
- 2012 - Norowski PA, Adatrow PC, et al. Suture pullout strength and biocompatibility of genipin crosslinked chitosan mats. J Biomed Mater Res A
Research Area Four
Dr. Adatrow has contributed clinically oriented research on dental implant outcomes and peri-implant complications. As Co-Investigator (2007–2010), he participated in a long-term clinical evaluation of mini-implants for immediate stabilisation of mandibular complete dentures, supported by an Intra-Lock International grant of $18,500 plus implant supplies; results were presented at the ACP 2010 meeting.
He co-investigated a clinical evaluation of the NobelProcera Implant Bar OverDenture on four Nobel Procera CC implants in the maxilla or mandible (June 2012 – June 2014). A 2010 paper described the diagnosis, treatment, and one-to-two-year follow-up of iatrogenic peri-implantitis, and a 2011 review examined emerging antibacterial biomaterial strategies for prevention of peri-implant inflammatory diseases.
Publications
- 2012 - Brandt R, Adatrow P, et al. Short-term evaluation of small-diameter implants for mandibular prostheses. J Tenn Dent Assoc
- 2011 - Bumgardner JD, Adatrow P, et al. Antibacterial biomaterial strategies for peri-implant disease prevention. Int J Oral Maxillofac Implants
- 2010 - Adatrow P, Hilal G, Cagna D, Bland P. Iatrogenic Peri-Implantitis: Treatment and 1–2 year follow-up. J Implant Adv Clin Dent
- NobelProcera Implant Bar OverDenture clinical evaluation - Nobel Biocare grant, 2012–2014
Research Area Five · Most Recent
Dr. Adatrow’s most recent publications reflect a shift toward clinical trial and epidemiological research in periodontal medicine — generating Level I evidence on the management of chronic periodontitis and the impact of systemic disease on periodontal outcomes.
A 2025 longitudinal cohort study in the Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences examined the combined effects of tobacco use and diabetes on periodontal health outcomes in an Indian population — providing evidence on how systemic conditions compound periodontal disease severity.
A second 2025 randomised controlled clinical trial in the same journal compared bioactive glass microspheres with chlorhexidine chips for the treatment of chronic periodontitis — both contributions demonstrating a continued commitment to rigorous evidence generation in periodontal therapeutics.
2025 Publications
- 2025 - Parihar AS, Adatrow P, et al. Combined effects of tobacco and diabetes on periodontal health in India: A longitudinal cohort study. J Pharmacy Bioallied Sci
- 2025 - Parihar AS, Adatrow P, et al. Bioactive glass microspheres vs. chlorhexidine chips in chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial. J Pharmacy Bioallied Sci
Complete Bibliography
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
2025
Parihar AS et al.; Adatrow P
Evaluation of the combined effects of tobacco and diabetes on periodontal health outcomes in India: A longitudinal cohort study.
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
2025
Parihar AS et al.; Adatrow P
Comparative evaluation of bioactive glass microspheres versus chlorhexidine chips in the treatment of chronic periodontitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial.
Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences
2018
Ghadri N, Anderson KM, Adatrow P, et al.
Evaluation of bone regeneration of simvastatin loaded chitosan nanofiber membranes in rodent calvarial defects
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology
2017
Su H, Liu K, Karydis A, Adatrow P, et al.
In vitro and in vivo evaluations of a novel post-electrospinning treatment to improve the fibrous structure of chitosan membranes for guided bone regeneration
Biomedical Materials
2014
Bavariya AJ, Norowski PA, Anderson KM, Adatrow PC, et al.
Evaluation of biocompatibility and degradation of chitosan nanofiber membrane cross-linked with genipin
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B
2012
Norowski PA Jr, Fujiwara T, Clem WC, Adatrow PC, et al.
Novel naturally crosslinked electrospun nanofibrous chitosan mats for guided bone regeneration membranes
Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine
2012
Brandt R, Hollis S, Ahuja S, Adatrow P, Balanoff W
Short-term objective and subjective evaluation of small-diameter implants used to support and retain mandibular prostheses.
Journal of the Tennessee Dental Association
2012
Norowski PA, Babu J, Adatrow PC, et al.
Antimicrobial activity of minocycline-loaded genipin-crosslinked nanofibrous chitosan mats for guided tissue regeneration.
Journal of Biomaterials and Nanobiotechnology
2012
Norowski PA, Mishra S, Adatrow PC , Haggard WO, Bumgardner JD
Suture pullout strength and in vitro fibroblast and RAW 264.7 monocyte biocompatibility of genipin crosslinked nanofibrous chitosan mats.
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research A
2011
Bumgardner JD, Adatrow P, Haggard WO, Norowski PA
Emerging antibacterial biomaterial strategies for the prevention of peri-implant inflammatory diseases.
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants
2010
Adatrow P, Hilal G, Cagna D, Bland P
Iatrogenic Peri-Implantitis: Treatment and one to two year follow-up
Journal of Implant and Advanced Clinical Dentistry
Book Contributions
2009
Norowski PA, Clem W, Adatrow P, Haggard WO, Bumgardner JD
Emerging Biomaterial Strategies for Prevention of Peri-Implantitis
Proceedings of the First P-I Brånemark Scientific Symposium, Gothenburg
2004–2006
Kim SJ et al. (Co-Author)
Current Literature Abstracts
IU Department of Periodontology Publications
Editorial Service
July 2018 - Present
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Implants
Peer Reviewer · Indexed Journal
December 2009 - Present
Journal of Biomedical Materials Research Part B
Peer Reviewer · Indexed Journal
November 2007 - Present
Journal of Dental Education
Peer Reviewer · Indexed Journal