Research Cluster:

Oral Microbial Ecology

Oral Microbial Ecology

= Oral microbiology from a community and ecological perspective

Community: Oral biofilms as multi-cellular organisms rather than specific key pathogens

- Oral pathogens are part of an endogenous microbiota

- Composition is a result of synergistic and antagonistic interactions

Ecology: Community in close proximity with highly dynamic environment

- Community changes ↔ Ecological changes

=> metagenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics & metabolomics

Oral Microbial Ecology

Young

1988: Microscope & photo camera (Prof. Quirynen & U. Groningen)

“Department of Periodontology”

Influence SR and SFE on plaque/biofilm growth

1993: Culturing & identification (Rega institute)

“Oral Microbiology Research Group” & own labspace

Identification of oral bacteria

1995: Epithelial cell model to study adhesion (CME & Histology)

“Research Group for Microbial Adhesion”

Adhesion and colonization of hard and soft tissues

First research grant

1995-2012: Expansion in lines: clinical microbiology, microbial & environmental interactions, ...

fields: cariology, orthodontics, endodontics, material sciences...

techniques: microscopy, (Q)PCR, DGGE, dynamic biofilm models, GFP

Oral Microbial Ecology

Achievements

- Proof of concept (in vitro/in vivo)

- Selective elimination via predators

- First oral prebiotic

- Influence on inflammation

What

- Focus on “beneficial microbes”

- Community shifting via adding, selective outgrowth or selective killing

Probiotics and Prebiotics: microbial interactions

Future research plans:

- Substrate-metabolite effects

- Focus on role of beneficial bacteria in inflammation

- Focus on interspecies interactions

Research network: RGMA – LabMet – BioTec – UCLA – Hebrew University Jerusalem – Colgate – Biogaia

Cukurova University - University Vermont - Forsyth

Oral Microbial Ecology

Achievements

- Influence of SR and SFE

- Effect of biofilm on wear and corrosion

- Epithelial monolayer and multilayer model

- Hydrodynamic model

What

- Influence of surface properties-biofilm formation and vice versa

- Modulate biofilm formation on e.g. dental implants

Effect of implant surfaces: surface roughness and surface free energy

Future research plans:

- Evaluation of modified implant surfaces (anti-biofilm, anti-redox coatings)

- Improvement in hydrodynamic models via bioreactors

Research network: RGMA – BioMat – LMPG - University Minho – Forsyth– Penn University

University Groningen - Ege University – Nobel BioCare - Astra

Oral Microbial Ecology

Achievements

- Longitudinal microbial changes after

orthodontic appliances

- Composite monomers do not influence outgrow

cariogenic bacteria

What

- Influence of dental materials (eg. orthodontic brackets) and restorative

materials (e.g. resins) on biofilm composition & activity

Effect of dental (bio-) materials

Future research plans:

- Focus on characterization of restoration-biofilm interactions

Research network: RGMA – Biomat - Orthodontics

Oral Microbial Ecology

Achievements

- Tongue cleansers on microbial load

- Correlation between S. moorei & halitosis

- Salivary incubation test for oral malodor

- QPCR for S. moorei

What

- Contribution of the microbial ecology to tongue coating & halitosis

Tongue coating & halitosis

Future research plans:

- Characterization of the tongue microbiota in relation to tongue coating

and halitosis

Research network: RGMA – LabMet – BioTec – GABA/Colgate

Oral Microbial Ecology

Achievements

- Full mouth disinfection

- Inhibition of cariogenic species after periodontal R/

- Nd:YAG laser & PAD on endodontic pathogens

- Hydrodynamic model to test antiseptics

What

- Evaluation and development of new antimicrobial strategies on clinical

and microbiological parameters

Antimicrobial strategies

Future research plans:

- Laser assisted disinfections

- Development of more complex models

- Continuation of evaluation of antiseptics

Research network: RGMA – Endodontics - LabMet - BioTec – Complutense University Madrid – Cukurova

University

Oral Microbial Ecology

Expertise

- Multispecies biofilms (14 species) via bioreactor

- qPCR quantification

- Virulence gene expression

- Inflammatory potential

- Library of oral bacterial species

- Clinical microbial research

BUT WE HAVE A LOT FRIENDS!

Oral Microbial Ecology

Partners & Funding

DEPARTMENT OF

ORAL HEALTH SCIENCES