BY YARA EMAD ABUNEMEH (COMD/IV)
Earlier last week, a team at Bilkent’s National Nanotechnology Research Center (UNAM) designed a bacteria that could repair damage caused to the teeth or bones. The bacteria, which are modified to produce a protein that comes from algae, could change the way we look at bone and teeth injuries. The protein allows them to turn dissolved silica into solid silica. The silica, which was produced by the proteins, leads to repair and accelerates the healing process when placed on teeth or bone. This was observed in multiple tests by the researchers working on the study. The researchers understand these bacteria to be suitable as a filler material for the damaged parts. This could be a revolutionary discovery because it speeds up the treatment of such damage in the human body.
This process is a more efficient, environmentally friendly and biocompatible alternative to the current methods of treatment for injuries to bones and teeth. It is also a more economically sound alternative that could be used for numerous bone and teeth injuries and to speed up recovery from such injuries. This study was conducted by Asst. Prof. Urartu Şeker from UNAM and his team, alongside Assoc. Prof. Emel Özyürek Uzunoğlu from Hacettepe University’s Department of Dentistry and Prof. Serap Dökmeci from the Department of Medical Biology.
To read the full study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590006422002599