For 27 years at the ADA Forsyth Institute, Tsute “George” Chen, Ph.D., has supported scientists throughout the world with DNA sequencing and data analysis. He’s spent his entire career at ADA Forsyth, rising through the ranks from Assistant Investigator to Research Professor.
“I look forward to exploring more data analysis approaches for oral microbiome studies in the future, and I am happy that everyone at ADA Forsyth has been supportive,” Dr. Chen said.
Dr. Chen considers the establishment of the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD) the highlight of his career. In collaboration with Professor Emeritus Floyd Dewhirst, DDS, Ph.D., Dr. Chen built the database from the ground up to equip scientists from around the world with curated description of more than 800 bacteria commonly found in human oral and nasal cavities. Since the launch in 2008, HOMD has been cited more than 5,500 times by scientific papers and textbooks.
Through the years, Dr. Chen has adapted his methods to technological advancements, building and updating the computer infrastructures that allow researchers to make discoveries about the oral microbiome. He manages the ADA Forsyth Oral Microbiome Core, providing next-generation DNA sequencing (NGS) service and data analysis for microbiome studies throughout the world.
“George is an incredibly valuable asset to our organization,” said ADA Forsyth CEO Wenyuan Shi, Ph.D. “His work on the Human Oral Microbiome Database made an immense impact throughout the global scientific community, and he continues to provide an invaluable core service here at ADA Forsyth. We are so grateful for his contributions.”
Dr. Chen joined ADA Forsyth in 1998 under the tutelage of Margaret Duncan, Ph.D. He started as a microbiologist working in the wet lab but transitioned to bioinformatics when he recognized he can make an impact in oral microbiology research with his computational skills.
“DNA sequences have become an integral part of biological research, but most biologists do not have the computing background to analyze the data in depth.” Dr. Chen said. “I thought I can contribute to this field because I was trained in microbiology, and I taught myself the computational skills.”
He enjoys the smaller environment of ADA Forsyth, and has used his computer skills, in a cost-effective way, to build the bioinformatics computation resource that has been used by the HOMD, ADA Forsyth Oral Microbiome Core, researchers at ADA Forsyth, and collaborators worldwide.
“The flexible environment at ADA Forsyth allows me to focus on building the computation power needed for biological big data while minimizing cost and effort,” Dr. Chen said.
Technology has taken major strides forward over the 27 years Dr. Chen has worked at ADA Forsyth. NGS technology has accelerated DNA sequencing and greatly advanced biological research. Now, artificial intelligence is at the forefront of new research.
Dr. Chen hopes to pursue new directions in oral microbiome research through AI technology. He will continue to work and improve upon the HOMD and provide data analysis service to researchers through the Oral Microbiome Core.
