Presentation Type
Thesis
Department
Biology
Location
Walker Conference Center C
Description
Oral cavities or caries is a localized deterioration 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.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Included in
Bacteria Commons, Bacterial Infections and Mycoses Commons, Dental Hygiene Commons, Oral Biology and Oral Pathology Commons
Progress Towards Phage Stability for Possible Oral Phage Therapy
Walker Conference Center C
Oral cavities or caries is a localized deterioration 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.