Education
University of California, Irvine, Ph.D. 1991

Biography
Dr. Lallier received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from the University of Virginia in 1985.  He received his PhD in Developmental and Cell Biology from the University of California at Irvine in 1991.  Dr. Lallier conducted postdoctoral training in the laboratory of Douglas Desimone in the Department of Cell Biology at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.  He accepted a position of assistant professor in the Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy at LSUHSC in 1997, when he joined the Center of Excellence in Oral and Craniofacial Biology.  He was promoted to associate pProfessor in 2002.

Research Interests
Our lab investigates the interaction of aging, smoking and alcohol use on tissue remodeling.  We are currently using an in vitro model system to examine how these factors influence cell adhesion, cell motility and the ability of these cells to exert contractile forces on collagen gels.  In this system we are examining extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis and secretion (of collagens and other matrix glycoproteins and proteoglycans), cell-ECM receptors (integrins) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).  Our system focuses on gingival and periodontal ligament fibroblasts as a means to examine the reparative properties of connective tissue cells on tissue regeneration.  Our current findings indicate that aging selectively reduces the expression of several collagens and MMPs, reducing collagen gel contraction and cell motility without perturbing cell adhesion.  In addition, nicotine drastically reduces gel contraction, without altering integrin expression.  Finally, aging enhances the sensitivity of cells for nicotine, inducing significant alteration in ECM receptor (integrin) expression.  Taken together, these data indicate that smoking and alcohol use may have an additive (or even synergistic) ability to reduce the reparative capabilities of cells in older subjects.

Research Interests--Keywords
Periodontal ligament, gingival, fibroblast, extracellular matrix, tissue remodeling

Teaching Activities
General Histology – Dental - Course Director
Oral Histology – Dental - Course Director
General and Oral Histology – Dental Hygiene - Course Director
Cell and Molecular Biology – Graduate - Course Director
Research Methodologies – Dental Residents – Course Director
Advanced Biophysiology – Dental Residents – Course Director
General and Oral Histology – Dental Summer Enrichment Program - Course Director

Selected Publications
Spencer, A.Y. and Lallier, T.E., (2009).  Mechanical Tension Alters Semaphorin Expression in the Periodontium.  J Periodontology  80(10): 1665-1673.

Lallier, T.E., Miner, Q.W., Sonnier, J., Spencer, A. (2007).  A Simple Cell Motility Assay Demonstrates Differential Motility of Human Periodontal Ligament Fibroblasts, Gingival Fibroblasts and Pre-osteoblasts.  Cell Tiss Res.  328(2):339-54.

Lallier, T.E., Spencer, A.  (2007).  Using Microarrays to Find Novel Regulators of Periodontal Ligament Fibroblast Differentiation.  Cell Tiss Res.  327(1):93-109 .

Lallier, T.E., Spencer, A.Y. and Fowler, M.M.  (2005).  Transcript Profiling of Periodontal Fibroblasts and Osteoblasts.   J Periodontology. J Periodontology. 76(7): 1044-1055.

Lallier, T.E. (2004).  Semaphorin Profiling of Periodontal Fibroblasts and Osteoblasts. J. Dent. Res.  J. Dent Res. 83(5): 408-413