Progress towards Phage Stability for Possible Oral Phage Therapy

Date of Award

5-7-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Department

Biological Science

First Reader

Dr. Ruth Plymale

Second Reader

Dr. Sharon Hamilton

Third Reader

Dr. Byron Eubanks

Abstract

Oral cavities or caries are localized deteriorations of the tooth caused by an accumulation of harmful bacteria. This research intends to integrate bacteriophages onto unwaxed dental floss as a possible future preventative treatment for oral cavities. Bacteriophages are viruses that degrade the composition of bacterial populations by invading and reproducing inside bacterial hosts. The experimental framework involves soaking unwaxed floss in the bacteriophages named Phrick and Stonehill. The effectiveness of infection is measured by applying the phage-infused floss on an agar plate with Gordonia terrae CAG3, then analyzing the diameter of the plaque around the floss. This research will provide insight on the interactions between bacteriophages and bacterial pathogens, focusing on stability of phage within the oral solutions. Preliminary results confirm phage stability on filter paper, successfully lysing bacteria on an agar plate. The result carries significance in areas of dentistry and microbiology.

Comments

This thesis is currently embargoed. It will be available May 2026.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

This document is currently not available here.

Share

COinS