The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has awarded Hyun (Michel) Koo, D.D.S., Ph.D., $1.6 million to continue his research into novel methods of caries prevention.
Dr. Koo's work has focused on finding therapeutic substances from natural sources that could prevent bacteria from forming dental biofilm by disrupting the production of polymers, as well as acids. His research team at Eastman Dental Center, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, has discovered that specific compounds in cranberry and red wine grapes may significantly reduce the ability of bacteria to form plaque and cause cavities.
Most recently, Dr. Koo and his team have identified a novel strategy to reduce the development and virulence of dental biofilms and caries by combining two naturally occurring antibiofilm molecules with fluoride. The NIH grant will enable Dr. Koo to continue analyzing how such combination therapy will affect the ability of bacteria to produce polymers and acids with the goal of preventing dental biofilm before it occurs.
"By integrating biochemical and molecular techniques with an in vivo model of dental caries, we will better understand how these compounds affect plaque development and expand their potential usefulness to prevent plaque related diseases in humans," Dr. Koo stated in a press release.
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