Microarrays and clinical dentistry
Section snippets
THE BIOLOGY BEHIND MICROARRAYS
The structure and function of cells are determined by proteins. Many diseases are caused by defects in the natural functions of proteins; hence, drugs often target certain proteins to alter their behavior. Depending on the environment imposed on a cell, the same protein may be modified to perform different, and sometimes opposing, functions. To treat various diseases effectively, the genetic makeup underlying the disease process ultimately needs to be characterized and understood at the protein
MICROARRAY TECHNOLOGY
A microarray is composed of a series of pieces of DNA, usually corresponding to segments of genes, that are placed in a prespecified arrangement, typically on a glass slide or a silicon chip.9 In addition to the array designed for the human genome, different arrays are available for the genomes of a variety of model organisms such as yeast and mouse.10, 11, 12, 13
The principle behind microarrays is the fact that complementary sequences will bind to each other under the right conditions. That
THE CHALLENGES OF USING MICROARRAYS
While these arrays are designed to give a genome-wide view of the cell on an unprecedented scale, there are some problems and obstacles. A major drawback is their high cost, although prices have dropped significantly in the past few years. Each oligonucleotide array typically costs hundreds of dollars; chemicals and labor needed for the experiment also can cost a substantial amount. This is in addition to the hundreds of thousands of dollars necessary for the initial setup.
Another challenge is
APPLICATIONS OF MICROARRAYS TO DENTISTRY
The molecular and biochemical activity associated with oral health and disease has the potential to be understood and classified by the “signature” or “fingerprint” of the DNA or the proteins characterized using these technologies. Areas that can be coupled with microarray technologies include classification of diseases, or molecular phenotyping22; the study of gene function in relation to gene regulatory networks, or functional genomics23; drug development and prediction of efficacy and
CONCLUSION
Microarrays hold much promise for the analysis of diseases in the oral cavity. Classification of oral disease by DNA, RNA or protein profiles will greatly enhance our ability to diagnose, prevent, monitor and treat our patients. Currently, microarrays are primarily a research tool. However, in the future, these highly sophisticated screening tools or their derivatives may provide an accurate, simple, rapid and inexpensive means for better managing the care of dental patients. Microarrays
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- 1
Dr. Kuo is an oral medicine and dental informatics fellow, Department of Oral Medicine, Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston; a biomedical informatics research fellow, Children's Hospital Informatics Program, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; a biomedical informatics research fellow, Decision Systems Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; a biomedical informatics research fellow, Department of Genetics, Cepko Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and a biomedical informatics research fellow, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
- 2
Dr. Whipple is an assistant professor, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle.
- 3
Dr. Jenssen is a research scientist, Department of Tumor Biology, The Norwegian Radium Hospital, Montebello, Norway.
- 4
Dr. Todd is an assistant professor, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.
- 5
Dr. Epstein is a professor and the head of the department, Department of Oral Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences, University of Illinois, Chicago.
- 6
Dr. Ohno-Machado is an associate professor, Decision Systems Group, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston; and a member of the HST Affiliated Faculty, Division of Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.
- 7
Dr. Sonis is the chairman and a professor, Department of Oral Medicine Infection and Immunity, Harvard School of Dental Medicine, Boston.
- 8
Dr. Park is an instructor, Children's Hospital Informatics Program, Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston.