Establishing the Proteome of Children's Primary Teeth
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Establishing the Proteome of Children's Primary Teeth
IRAS ID
326344
Contact name
Sondos Albadri
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Liverpool
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Previous research has told us that children with medical issues, or from deprived backgrounds, suffer from worse oral health and increased amounts of dental decay. There has, however, been little research into whether changes to teeth on the molecular level could partly be responsible for why children in these groups often experience worse oral health. Proteins are a type of large molecule; if we can establish what proteins are inside the teeth of healthy children, we will then have the opportunity to compare how tooth proteins may change in disease and deprivation with further research in the future. Greater understanding about any potential differences will provide more opportunities to create specific preventive and/or treatment strategies to help ensure good oral health for all children.
It appears that children’s baby teeth have not yet been researched in this way. This project will use scientific techniques (mass spectrometry and bioinformatics) at the University of Liverpool to determine the proteins present in children's baby teeth, as well as their functions. This project will rely on the donation of sound teeth that have naturally fallen out of the mouths of healthy children (aged approximately 5-8 years old), as well as teeth donated following their removal as part of dental treatment under general anaesthetic in Liverpool. The project aims to be complete within a year and has been funded by a joint grant from the Royal College of England's Faculty of Dental Surgery and the British Society of Paediatric Dentistry.
REC name
North West - Haydock Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NW/0389
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jan 2024
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion