Changes in dental science and changes in us: how we can affect others for good

We’re busy with the details of the day, but science continues to move forward.

The bacteria that live inside the mouth are known to change depending upon whether the host is well or in a diseased state. If the person is not well, the bacteria change to adapt, according to the latest research from scientists using supercomputers at the Texas Advanced Computing Center (TACC). (1) The study was published in the April 2014 issue of the journal mBio and led by Marvin Whiteley, professor of molecular biosciences and director of the Center for Infectious Disease at The University of Texas at Austin. (2) Read the abstract here.

Professor Whiteley indicated the intent of his research is to help people by developing biomarkers to predict diseases such as periodontitis,diabetes, and Crohn’s disease. The key will be to provide preventive measures to patients to protect them from getting sick. Ultimately, the goal may be to manipulate the bacteria in a way that they could be “rewired” to health. (1)

The boundaries of science are being broadened every day. Let’s open up our boundaries a little bit too.

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References
1. Mouth bacteria can change its diet, supercomputers reveal. ScienceDaily. Aug. 12, 2014. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/08/140812163810.htm?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+sciencedaily%2Ftop_news%2Ftop_health+%28ScienceDaily%3A+Top+Health+News%29
2. Jorth P, Turner KH, Gumus P, Nizam N, Buduneli N, Whiteley M. Metatranscriptomics of the human oral microbiome during health and disease. mBio, 2014; 5(2):e01012-14 DOI: 10.1128/mBio.01012-14.