重口味SM

U of T researcher explores use of DNA nanotechnology to regenerate teeth

"Most treatments currently in dentistry involve filling the tooth with materials that don鈥檛 make the tooth stronger 鈥撀爄n fact, they actually weaken them鈥
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Mercedes Ing, who is in her first year of U of T鈥檚 pediatric graduate dentistry program, talks about her research into using DNA nanotechnology to regenerate teeth during a recent Three Minute Thesis competition (photo by Jeff Comber)

Researchers in the 重口味SM鈥檚 Faculty of Dentistry are exploring the use of DNA nanotechnology to regenerate biologic materials 鈥 including teeth.

Mercedes Ing, who is currently in her first year of the faculty鈥檚 pediatric graduate dentistry program, is taking research related to bone regeneration that鈥檚 being conducted by a PhD student in the faculty and applying it in a way that could one day reduce the need for cavity fillings.

She says the bone regeneration research has already shown promise in pre-clinical studies. 

鈥淭wo different solutions of DNA are mixed together to make a gel where the DNA forms a structure that acts like scaffolding, attracting minerals to help regenerate the bone,鈥 says Ing, who is working in the lab of Assistant Professor Karina Carneiro.

She adds that injecting DNA gel has aided with bone healing and that by applying the bone results to teeth, 鈥渨e want to see how the gel performs in the environment of human saliva and human cells, and how it can help remineralize dentin in teeth.鈥

Ing says the developing field of nanotechnology has a lot of potential, which she can already see with this research 鈥 even in its preliminary stages.

鈥淭he cool thing about this is most treatments currently in dentistry involve filling the tooth with materials that don鈥檛 make the tooth stronger 鈥 in fact, they actually weaken them,鈥 says Ing, who chose her area of research, in part, because of Carneiro, who taught her biomaterials during her dentistry degree. 鈥淭his could be extremely promising if we鈥檙e able to use the DNA gel to rebuild the dentin of the tooth.鈥

Using DNA as a tool for regeneration could also yield other benefits for patients, including preventing root canals and additional invasive dental visits, she says.

鈥淣owadays, in pediatric dentistry especially, we are trying to move towards minimally invasive dentistry and fewer visits,鈥 says Ing. 鈥淭he ultimate goal is to be able to apply this gel to help promote more healing.鈥

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Morris Manolson, the Faculty of Dentistry鈥檚 vice-dean, research, and Mercedes Ing at the faculty's 2024 Three Minute Thesis award presentation (Jeff Comber)

Ing presented her research at the Faculty of Dentistry鈥檚 Three-Minute-Thesis competition earlier this year and was chosen as the winner, moving on to the larger, U of T-wide competition.

鈥淚 was happy to win for my supervisors 鈥 they were really encouraging and supportive,鈥 says Ing, referring to Carneiro and Anuradha Prakki, associate dean, undergraduate education. 鈥淚鈥檓 excited to represent the faculty in the next round and also to see the breadth of research from around the entire university.鈥

 

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