Microarrays and clinical dentistry

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ABSTRACT

Background.

The Human Genome Project, or HGP, has inspired a great deal of exciting biology recently by enabling the development of new technologies that will be essential for understanding the different types of abnormalities in diseases related to the oral cavity.

Literature Reviewed.

The authors review current literature pertaining to the advanced microarray technologies arising from the HGP and how they can contribute to dentistry. This technology has become a standard tool for monitoring activities of genes at both academic and pharmaceutical research institutions.

Results.

With the availability of the DNA sequences for the entire human genome, attention now is focused on understanding various diseases at the genome level. Deciphering the molecular behavior of genetically encoded proteins is crucial to obtaining a more comprehensive picture of disease processes. Important progress has been made using microarrays, which have been shown to be effective in identifying gene expression patterns and variations that correlate with cellular development, physiology and function. Arrays can be used to classify tissue samples accurately based on molecular profiles and to select candidate genes related to a number of cancers, including oral cancer. This type of oral genetic approach will aid in the understanding of disease progression, thus improving diagnosis and treatment for patients.

Clinical Implications.

Microarrays hold much promise for the analysis of diseases in the oral cavity. As the technology evolves, dentists may see these tools as screening tests for better managing patients' dental care.

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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  • Cited by (12)

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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.

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