Innately Perio Lab
PI - Dr. Sivaraman Prakasam
Innate Immunology:
The overall goal of our innate immune research is to understand the role of pattern recognition receptors in the pathogenesis and progression of oral inflammatory diseases particularly periodontitis. Our current focus is on Peptidoglycan recognition proteins and we study this with help of invitro models and human samples.
Salivary Diagnostics:
Saliva can provide rich contextual information on the events that take place at the gingiva - oral interface. We have a biobank of over 100 samples along with comprehensive clinical information. We are quantifying the changes in innate immune receptors that spill out into the saliva in these samples with the goal of comparing the differences in their levels during health versus disease. These changes may have the potential to be used as biomarkers to study pathogenesis and progression of periodontal disease.
Tissue on Chip
In collaboration with the Bertassoni lab we are developing a "tissue on chip" and other microfluidic devices with the goal of studying innate immune mechanisms that play a role in oral disease pathogenesis. The immediate goal is to test the role of an advancing inflammatory front in bone destruction that happens during periodontal disease pathogenesis with the help of this novel and highly innovative "periodontium on chip"
Oral Sciences / Randomized Clinical Trials.
In collaboration with Health sciences researchers and epidemiologists, our lab is asking clinically relevant questions on oral diseases and how they impact systemic health of patients.
Additionally we also work with industry partners to conduct clinical studies/ trials on materials used in periodontal disease management, regeneration and dental implant therapy. Our lab is also highly interested in improving safety and success of dental procedures particularly dental implant related procedures.
Please watch this space for more information on our Industry Funded BESHARP randomized clinical trial.
Mission
To carry out cutting edge research in the field of periodontal immunology and through this research develop tools to, study, prevent, diagnose, and treat periodontal and oral diseases.