How Tony Melcher advanced our understanding of periodontal biology and regeneration

Tony Melcher, a highly influential and forward-thinking scientist and teacher, focussed on the origins, behaviour and regulation of cells in periodontal tissues. His recent death in April 2020, has motivated us to highlight his multi-level contributions to research in biology and the dental sciences. Tony was particularly adept at recognizing the inherent instructive power of the periodontium, most notably as a model system for studying the inter-relationships between the structure, development and functions of connective tissues. Further, his mentoring of dozens of students who subsequently went on to develop their own careers in research, and his leadership in promoting collaborations in dental sciences world-wide, engendered important advances in the importance and utility of research relating to oral tissues. Here, we reflect upon his development of a large, multi-disciplinary research enterprise, the MRC Group in Periodontal Physiology at the University of Toronto and brief commentaries of those who worked with him there. We examine his early career development and then go on to consider some of his most highly cited publications and their impact on subsequent research trends.