Marine enzymes as a novel method of biofilm control.
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Marine enzymes as a novel method of biofilm control.
IRAS ID
149892
Contact name
Richard Holliday
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Royal Victoria Infirmary
Research summary
Many dental diseases are caused by bacteria sticking to surfaces (teeth, dentures, and implants), forming a sticky mass called a biofilm. These biofilms are responsible for tooth decay, gum disease and various other mouth infections.
Biofilms are complex structures and are made up of many components. I will focus on one particular component called extracellular DNA (eDNA). We know that eDNA helps holds together many simple biofilms grown in the laboratory. As little research has been done on complex biofilms from the human mouth, the purpose of this research is to identify whether enzymes available to breakdown eDNA could be used to control oral biofilms and hence reduce dental diseases. Several enzymes are available to target eDNA including a recently discovered enzyme derived from a marine bacterium living on seaweed.
We will be collecting extracted teeth (40 participants) and discarded dental implant components (40 participants) for laboratory analysis from patients at the Newcastle Dental Hospital. Participants care will not be altered by donating their teeth to the study. The study will last 36 months.
REC name
Yorkshire & The Humber - South Yorkshire Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
14/YH/0145
Date of REC Opinion
17 Apr 2014
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion