MICROBIAL INTERACTION IN DENTAL PLAQUE

该项目结合了临床、学术和研究培训 导致多发性硬化症牙髓学学位和博士学位学位 微生物学和免疫学。 两个计划的所有要求 正如拉克姆研究生院所说， 完成 该补助金的研究部分的主要重点是研究 在牙菌斑中发现的细菌如何相互作用和附着 牙齿表面。 牙菌斑的细菌组成 可能导致牙齿感染，如龋齿或牙周病。 链球菌是早期斑块形成者，是第一种 附着在牙齿表面。 各种糖的影响，如 在人类饮食中发现，对口腔链球菌的代谢 以及它们随后附着在羟基磷灰石上的能力， 牙齿表面的体外模型，正在研究中。 As斑块 建立早期殖民者可能会选择额外的斑块 与健康或疾病有关的生物体。 因此 重要的是要充分了解这些早期的殖民者。 希望通过研究牙菌斑之间的基本相互作用 细菌及其环境，控制细菌生长的因素， 可以更好地了解牙菌斑的组成， 可能在生物基础的开发中实现， 牙科疾病的治疗方案。

The project combines clinical, academic and research training leading to an M.S. degree in Endodontics and a Ph.D. degree in Microbiology and Immunology. All requirements of both programs as stated by the Rackham School of Graduate Studies are being completed. The main focus of the research portion of this grant is to study how bacteria which are found in dental plaque interact and attach to tooth surfaces. The bacterial composition of dental plaque may cause dental infections such as caries or periodontal disease. Streptococci are early plaque formers, the first bacteria which attach to the tooth surface. Effects of various sugars, as are found in the human diet, on the metabolism of oral streptococci and their subsequent ability to attach to hydroxyapatite, an in vitro model for the tooth surface, are being studied. As plaque builds up the early colonizers may select for additional plaque organisms which are associated with health or disease. Thus it is important to fully understand these early colony formers. It is hoped that by studying basic interactions between plaque bacteria and their environment, factors which control the composition of dental plaque can be better understood and potentially implemented in the development of biologically based therapeutic regimens for dental diseases.