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T-cell receptors (TCRs) are membrane proteins which recognize antigens with high specificity forming the basis of the cellular immune response. The study of these receptors has been limited by the challenges in expressing sufficient quantities of stable soluble protein. Here we report our systematic approach for generating soluble, (alpha)(beta)-TCRs, for X-ray crystallographic studies. By using small-scale expression screens, novel standardized quality control mechanisms and crystallization and imaging robots we were able to add significantly to the current TCR structural database. Our success in crystallizing both isolated TCRs and Major histocompatibility complex (MHC):TCR complexes has provided us with sufficient data to develop focused crystallization screens, which have proved generically useful for the crystallization of this family of proteins and complexes.

The interests of governments in dental health are recognized but not always best served in communication with the dental profession. Nor does the profession communicate readily with the public. In seeking to influence governmental policies, there is a need to collect and interpret data on dental disease in forms which will make impact within the governmental framework and lead to more rapid action. Greater public awareness will help in the formulation of government policies but only if dictates for action are supplemented by explanations of their aims. Dentistry must be more prepared to listen to government and to approach the solution of common problems in a constructive and flexible manner. In doing this dentistry must aim to provide services to which all will have access.

The unsatisfactory dental health situation in the majority of the Latin American population, presently not covered by existing dental services, led to a serious questioning of the educational process directed to prepare human resources in dentistry. At the present time, many dental schools in Latin America are trying to find and implement new teaching methods, different curriculum patterns, and even seeking to define new professional and non-professional profiles, in order to meet the tremendous challenge that requires the formation of a different type of dental health personnel capable of introducing definite changes in the way dentistry is conceived and performed in order to cover the needs of a constantly growing population.