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Researchers go bright on teeth
Gene, called Ctip2, maintains production of tooth enamel, may lead to growth of teeth
Caitlin Cagle
Issue date: 3/6/09 Section: News
Researchers in Oregon State's pharmacy department have discovered a gene that builds tooth enamel. Ctip2, previously linked to the development of skin and the nervous system, plays an important role in immune function, and has now been proven to maintain the production of tooth enamel.
"This is a gene that is expressed in a cell type, a specific dental type called mammalia, and the cell is responsible for creating enamel in the tooth," said Chrissa Kioussi, an assistant professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences and part of the research team responsible for the discovery of Ctip2.
Tooth enamel, one of the strongest materials in the human body, protects teeth from corrosive bacteria that can damage teeth and cause cavities. The discovery of Ctip2 in relation to tooth enamel could lead to revolutionary dental procedures that make the appearance of cavities and loss of teeth easier to handle.
"One day we will be able to grow cells that can produce enamel in humans, and then we can fix a lot of dental problems like tooth decay or growth," Kioussi said.
"We are hoping that the long term goal is to be able to make a better tooth, because tooth decay is a major problem in Oregon and all over," said Professor Mark Leid of the department of pharmaceutical sciences. He is also part of the research team.
Previously, scientists have tried to stimulate the growth of new teeth, but found their attempts unsuccessful due to the lack of tooth enamel. Ctip2 could be the answer that scientists were looking for, and could lead to the revolutionary practice of growing new teeth.
"When you damage your enamel you can't repair it, so what you end up having is a dental implant, which is basically a titanium alloy screwed in. So we are trying to genetically make teeth that have better properties," Leid said.
Kioussi and Leid, along with others on the research team, discovered the link between Ctip2 and tooth enamel while conducting experiments on mice.
"This is a gene that is expressed in a cell type, a specific dental type called mammalia, and the cell is responsible for creating enamel in the tooth," said Chrissa Kioussi, an assistant professor in the department of pharmaceutical sciences and part of the research team responsible for the discovery of Ctip2.
Tooth enamel, one of the strongest materials in the human body, protects teeth from corrosive bacteria that can damage teeth and cause cavities. The discovery of Ctip2 in relation to tooth enamel could lead to revolutionary dental procedures that make the appearance of cavities and loss of teeth easier to handle.
"One day we will be able to grow cells that can produce enamel in humans, and then we can fix a lot of dental problems like tooth decay or growth," Kioussi said.
"We are hoping that the long term goal is to be able to make a better tooth, because tooth decay is a major problem in Oregon and all over," said Professor Mark Leid of the department of pharmaceutical sciences. He is also part of the research team.
Previously, scientists have tried to stimulate the growth of new teeth, but found their attempts unsuccessful due to the lack of tooth enamel. Ctip2 could be the answer that scientists were looking for, and could lead to the revolutionary practice of growing new teeth.
"When you damage your enamel you can't repair it, so what you end up having is a dental implant, which is basically a titanium alloy screwed in. So we are trying to genetically make teeth that have better properties," Leid said.
Kioussi and Leid, along with others on the research team, discovered the link between Ctip2 and tooth enamel while conducting experiments on mice.
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