Regensburg 2004 – wissenschaftliches Programm

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 50: Poster Session "Biological Physics"

AKB 50.50: Poster

Freitag, 12. März 2004, 10:30–13:00, B

Kinetics of salivary protein adsorption — •Anthony Quinn, Hubert Mantz, and Karin Jacobs — Experimental Physics, Saarland University, POB 151 150, 66041 Saarbrücken

Exposure to saliva in the oral cavity results in the formation of a layer of proteins and related biopolymers on all solid surfaces, known as an acquired salivary pellicle. Pellicle formation occurs immediately and is considered to be complete within 1-2 hours, with a thickness of approximately 1 micron. Bacteria in the saliva then selectively attaches to the pellicle (dependent on the surface characteristics of the bacteria and the specific proteins), marking the onset of plaque formation. Observations of plaque, which is known to play a crucial role in the development of oral diseases, reveal an enhanced or diminished growth dependent on the supporting substrate. This research therefore aims to identify the mechanisms for salivary protein adsorption at solid-liquid interfaces, with the intention of optimising the biocompatibility of dental replacement materials, and reduce the incidence of disease inducing plaque formation. In-situ ellipsometry is utilized to follow the adsorption kinetics of purified protein solutions, and the competitive adsorption from mixed protein solutions on a series of tailored substrates. The physicochemical composition of these tailored surfaces is carefully controlled and fully characterised via AFM and wettability analysis, enabling the structural and interfacial tension components to be identified respectively.