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ADELAIDE, Australia: Genetic research has become increasingly relevant to medicine and biology in recent years. The role of genetics in dental research, however, is still in its infancy, according to researchers at the University of Adelaide. They believe that the field will contribute significantly to improving diagnosis, treatment and prevention of dental diseases in the future.
While the human genetic code contains all DNA information, the epigenetic code determines when and where genes in the genetic code are expressed. Reviewing the current literature on epigenetics aimed specifically at oral health professionals, the researchers found that epigenetics could have important implications for dental practice, including a personalised medicine approach to the management of common oral diseases.
According to Dr Toby Hughes, study author and associate professor at the university, epigenetic factors respond to the current local environment, such as oral microbes, regulating which genes are active. “This means we could use them to determine an individual’s state of health, or even influence how their genes behave. We can’t change the underlying genetic code, but we may be able to change when genes are switched on and off,” he said.
For instance, potential oral health targets for the study of epigenetics include inflammation and immune responses that lead to periodontitis, and the development and progression of oral cancer, Hughes explained.
“What’s most exciting is the possibility of screening for many of these potential oral health problems from an early age so that we can prevent them or reduce their impact,” he added.
The study, titled “Epigenetics: A new frontier in dentistry”, was published online on 24 February in the Australian Dental Journal ahead of print. It was conducted in collaboration with the University of Sydney and Queen Mary University of London.
