Molecular diagnostics of periodontitis

The microorganisms that form dental plaque are the main cause of periodontitis. Their identification and the understanding of the complex relationships and interactions that involve these microorganisms, environmental factors and the host’s health status enable improvement in diagnostics and targeted therapy in patients with periodontitis. To this end, molecular diagnostics techniques (both techniques based on the polymerase chain reaction and those involving nucleic acid analysis via hybridization) come increasingly into use. On the basis of a literature review, the following methods are presented: polymerase chain reaction (PCR), real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR), 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequencing, checkerboard and reverse-capture checkerboard hybridization, microarrays, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE), temperature gradient gel electrophoresis (TGGE), as well as terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (TRFLP) and next generation sequencing (NGS). The advantages and drawbacks of each method in the examination of periopathogens are indicated. The techniques listed above allow fast detection of even small quantities of pathogen present in diagnostic material and prove particularly useful to detect microorganisms that are difficult or impossible to grow in a laboratory.

Identifikasi Biodeteriogen Sebagai Langkah Awal Konservasi Benda Cagar Budaya

Indonesia mempunyai Benda Cagar Budaya (BCB) yang berlimpah. BCB tersebut dapat mengalami degradasi disebabkan mikroorganisme. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk memberikan pengetahuan mengenai teknik molecular yang digunakan untuk deteksi biodeteriogen pada benda cagar budaya. Teknik Molekuler yang dapat digunakan adalah Fingerprinting, meliputi DGGE (Denaturing Temperature Gradient Gel Electrophoresis), SSCP (Single Strand Conformation Polymorphism), ARDRA (Amplified Ribosomal DNA Restriction Analysis), dan Clone Library. Teknik ini mempunyai beberapa kelebihan, seperti tingkat presisi yang tinggi, lebih cepat digunakan, dapat digunakan untuk mengetahui peran biodeteriogen pada lingkungan.