Saliva and Salivary Glands FRANK SCANNAPIECO, DMD, PhD personal profile
Salivary proteins and plaque formation
Note: Another area of our research is available at Microbial Pathogenesis of Oral Organisms, and Relationship of Oral Pathogens to Systemic Diseases
Salivary proteins have been shown to interact with bacteria in plaque, and such interactions likely play critical roles in plaque formation. One such interaction is that between amylase, the most abundant enzyme in saliva, and the amylase-binding streptococci (ABS), which are numerous in plaque. Presently, we are investigating potential interactions of genes and proteins involved in amylase binding (abpA and abpB) and genes involved in glucan synthesis (rgg and gtfG). Mutants deficient in one or more of these proteins will be compared in standard in vitro models of adhesion and biofilm formation, and for colonization and cariogenicity potential in rats.
“I was sure I was going to be able to do anything I wanted because of the flexibility of the department. It is open to any research possible.”