Biomedical Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
80
p16INK4a MSP
70
3-gene MSP panel
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
Smokers
+
−
+
−
Patients
Controls
FIGURE 22.3
The DNA promoter hypermethylation of three tumor suppressor genes (DAPK1, RASSF1a, and p16) in saliva
collected from a healthy control group (n
121, both smokers and
nonsmokers). On the Y-axis, if one of the genes is methylated that particular saliva sample is included in the
data set
[15]
.
41) and HNSCC patients (n
5
5
include basic engineering problem from precise positioning and assembly of molecular-scale parts to
biocompatibility issues, public acceptance, ethics, regulation, and human safety. When the issues raised
above have been adequately addressed, nanodentistry will soon become a reality.
22.4
Future outlook and conclusions
There are many other areas where saliva may be used either as a replacement for traditional blood
testing or as an adjunct to current testing methods. This section highlights some of the many possibil-
ities that saliva may play a role in future clinical application. In each case, scholarly articles are read-
ily available relating to the utility of saliva and serve as a solid basis for the development of future
testing products. A series of biomarkers including CRP
[9,23]
,
-amylase, and cortisol
[65,66]
have
been used in the assessment of cardiovascular health, and rapid point-of-care test devices using saliva
will in the near future be available to assess risk of CVD. In a related area LabNow, a company
spearheaded by Dr. John McDevitt, a professor of biochemistry from the University of Texas at
Austin, has developed a nano-biochip method that uses saliva to diagnose early heart attack. The
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