Swiss specialists created a map of a human tooth with a single cell precision, and discovered, among other things, the differences between the gum and the pulp. The breakthrough could open the way for new cell-based and tissue regeneration treatments for teeth.
Over the past 30 years, scientists have become more and more interested in the possibilities of using genetics and regenerative methods in teeth whitening, scientists from the University of Zurich confirm. This team’s new achievement marks a milestone on the road to this goal.
The researchers combined the first map of a human tooth to even a single cell. With the help of new biotechnology techniques, they have been able to distinguish between both the cells that make up the pulp and the gums.
“Our research provides an unprecedented understanding of the composition of these two tissues, which are susceptible to specific bacterial diseases such as tooth decay and periodontitis. Both the pulp and gums contain stem cells with great regenerative potential,” confirms Dr. Berfrancesco Pagila, one of the authors of the study published in the journal iScience .
First, the study showed enormous cellular diversity in both the pulp and the gums.
However, to the researchers’ surprise, both tissues contained stem cells that were very similar molecularly to each other.
“We believe that the different behavior of cells is the result of different environmental factors,” Dr. Bajella explains.
Most importantly, the map developed could be of great practical interest.
“The single cell approach can help us understand the interactions between dental pulp and periodontal cells that participate in the immune response that arises in response to bacteria. This means that the analysis of single cells may be useful in diagnosis and support early detection of dental disease” – says one of the authors, Professor. Themius Mitsiades.
not everything. According to the scientist, further research may lead to the development of new treatments, which include which will enable the regeneration of damaged teeth.
“Innovations of this kind are the result of a collaboration between bioinformatics and modern dentistry” – adds the professor. Mitsiades.
More information on the pages:
https://www.media.uzh.ch/en/Press-Releases/2021/Tooth-Altlas.html
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2589004221003734 (PAP)
Author: Marek Matucks
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