# Reinforcing dental adhesives with monomers capable dynamic rearrangement and self-recovery

> **NIH NIH K25** · MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY · 2020 · $156,758

## Abstract

Project Summary
The long-term goal of the award applicant is to establish a competitive, independently funded research program
that develops robust materials to address healthcare challenges. This goal will be realized through the execution
of an organized, thorough, and integrated career development plan, effective mentorship, and an engaging and
innovative research project. The proposed research project will investigate phase separation in self-etch
adhesive resins and explore the use of monomers capable of adaptable, dynamic hydrogen bonding to improve
overall adhesive performance. The three aims of this project will address the hypothesis that phase separation
during adhesive polymerization forms weakened domains of the hybrid layer, which must be reinforced to ensure
robust adhesive performance. To this end, the first goal of the research project is to study phase separation in
model self-etch adhesives and to ascertain the resulting composition and morphology of heterogeneous domains
that result during polymerization. The second goal of the research project is to develop a series of methacrylate
monomers decorated with two different hydrogen bonding groups (catechol, and ureido-4[1H]-pyrimidinone –
UPy) and ascertain their performance in adhesive resins and efficacy at rearranging in response to applied
stresses. The career development proposed for Dr. Caroline Szczepanski includes training in relevant
experimental protocols to assess the performance, biocompatibility, and stability of polymeric materials intended
for oral care. Additionally, broad training in skills necessary for the management of an independent career and
funded research laboratory (e.g. grantsmanship, lab management) will be addressed. These goals are
complemented by the choice of mentors and the institutional environment which will all assist in providing the
skills and guidance needed by the applicant to develop a successful research program and succeed as an
independent investigator. The mentor team will consist of Prof. Ana Bedran-Russo (University of Illinois Chicago
– UIC), Prof. Christina Chan (Michigan State University - MSU) and Prof. Marco Bottino (University of Michigan).
Profs. Bedran-Russo and Bottino will provide critical guidance and training in the analysis of material
performance in simulated oral environments (e.g. micro-tensile bond testing), as well as the use of dentin
specimens to assess adhesive efficacy. Since both Profs. Bedran-Russo and Bottino are affiliated with schools
of dental medicine, they will also provide Dr. Szczepanski with opportunities to attend research seminars, meet
fellow researchers, and network within this new field of research. Prof. Chan will provide mentorship particularly
focused on grantsmanship as well as navigating the path towards reappointment and tenure at MSU. In addition
to these mentors, Dr. Szczepanski’s career development plan includes seminars in the grantsmanship,
responsible conduct of research, and mentorshi...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10055545
- **Project number:** 1K25DE028949-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Caroline Rose Szczepanski
- **Activity code:** K25 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2020
- **Award amount:** $156,758
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-07-01 → 2025-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10055545

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10055545, Reinforcing dental adhesives with monomers capable dynamic rearrangement and self-recovery (1K25DE028949-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10055545. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*