Welcome to the Mucosal Microbiology and Immunology Facility of the Indiana
University School of Dentistry on the campus of Indiana University Purdue
University at Indianapolis. We are a central Indiana laboratory that
specializes in oral bacterial biofilm analyses. The IUSD Mucosal
Microbiology and Immunology Facility offers the capability to examine the
effect of various antimicrobial agents to inhibit the virulence of either Streptococcus
mutans biofilm or a mixed species biofilm. The Facility personnel have
more than 30 years of combined experience with oral biofilm analyses.
Typical assays include inhibition of S. mutans biofilm growth,
adherence, aggregation, enzyme assays (glucosyltransferase,
phosphotransferase and lactate dehydrogenase), reporter gene assays and
inhibition of mixed species biofilm formation. Studies can be either
quantitative or qualitative or both. Agents that have been studied include
fluorides, chlorhexidine, natural flora products, polyclonal and monoclonal
antibodies, and various salivary components. Development of an anti-S.
mutans or anti-oral biofilm product requires extensive in vitro
testing prior to animal and human clinical trials. Use of the IUSD Mucosal
Microbiology and Immunology Facility allows the seamless integration of in
vitro analyses of anti-microbial products between the Mucosal Microbiology
and Immunology Facility and the Microbial
Caries Research Facility and subsequent in vivo analyses with the Bioresearch
Facility and the Clinical
Research Facility. |