On July 1, 2008, the Department of Biomedical Sciences reorganized into three diversified research areas.  The largest research area, Pain and Neuroscience, reorganized as the new Department of Neural and Pain Sciences with Dr. Joel Greenspan, Professor and Chair, as its leader. More information about NPS can be found at nps.dental.umaryland.edu.

The second research area involved in Microbiology and Infectious Disease became the new Department of Microbial Pathogenesis under the leadership of  Dr. Patrik Bavoil, Professor and Chair. A website for the Microbial Pathogenesis department is under construction.

The final group of faculty and staff involved in Cell and Molecular Biology and Cancer Research joined the newly renamed Department of Oncology and Diagnostic Sciences. Newly recruited chairman, Dr. Li Mao, will arrive on April 1, 2009.