Investigating the effects of electronic cigarettes and cannabis smoke on buccal microbes

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In nature, microbes organize themselves to overcome any inappropriate situation. They begin by adhering to various surfaces to form a biofilm consisting of a gathering of bacteria embedded in self-derived compounds. Environmental conditions have significant effects on microbial biofilm formation. It is well known that combustible cigarette smoke (CCS) is one factor with a significant impact on oral cavity microbial ecosystems. Several studies indicated that smoking increases the adhesion of S mutans to different surfaces including restorative dental acrylic resin and tooth brackets. It has also been shown that CCS promoted the growth and biofilm formation of P. gingivalis. As part of the oral microbial ecosystem, C. albicans is also subjected to the effect of cigarette smoke. We demonstrated that CCS activated different virulent genes expressed by C. albicans. CCS may not be the only stressful factor leading to buccal microbes' growth and biofilm formation. The e-cigarette, as well as cannabis smoke, may also promote such buccal microbial growth and biofilm formation. This research program is to investigate the interactions of e-cigarette vapors and cannabis smoke with two buccal pathogenic microbes, namely C. albicans and S. mutans. The research program consists of following 4 specific objectives: (i)To investigate the effect of e-cigarette vapors and cannabis smoke on C. albicans growth, biofilm formation and whole genome transcription. (ii)To investigate the effect of e-cigarette vapors and cannabis smoke on S. mutans growth, biofilm formation and whole genome transcription. (iii)To investigate the virulence/pathogenicity of the e-cigarette vapor or cannabis smoke exposed C. abicans. (iv)To investigate the virulence/pathogenicity of the e-cigarette vapor or cannabis smoke exposed S. mutans. To my best knowledge, very few studies, if any, investigated the effect of e-cigarette vapors or cannabis smoke on buccal microbes. This makes our research program unique and highly innovative. Significance: With this research program we will be able to elucidate buccal microorganisms' behaviors under the influence of e-cigarette vapor or cannabis smoke. This research program will contribute to future preventative strategies against oral infections that may be caused or intensified by e-cigarette vapor or cannabis smoke.