It is generally recognized that the knowledge and research base that underpins dentistry lies in the biological and physical sciences. In this context, the major advances in these sciences over the past two decades have come through the application of molecular bi- ogy and nanotechnology. These advances are currently impacting on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of human diseases and it is essential that dental research, education, and practice keep pace with this rapidly advancing ?eld. As pointed out by Ford et al. (1): The de?nition of disease is also changing. Previously, disease was understood to be the presence of symptoms or of a particular phenotype. With increasing knowledge of the genetic basis of many diseases, this de?nition is changing to become the presence of a genotype conferring a pre-disposition to clinical symptoms or phenotype (Ford et al. (1)). This changing de?nition of disease means that today's undergraduate or graduate student in dentistry (and its related ?elds) must be in a position not only to acquire new knowledge in the future but also to be able to evaluate the information and apply it in a clinically relevant setting. This naturally positions oral biology as an integral part of any dentally related professional's repertoire of knowledge. There are as many topics in oral biology as there are the number of sites and micro- vironments within the oral cavity.
With so many major advances over the past two decades coming through the application of molecular biology and nanotechnology, it is essential that dental research, education, and practice keep pace with the rapid progress of science. In Oral Biology: Molecular Techniques and Applications, expert researchers in the field have provided a selection of in depth methods and techniques optimized for particular applications, which can be readily adapted to particular organisms or areas of interest. Divided into three convenient sections, the book covers the study of saliva, as it is a rich source of biomolecules for study at the molecular level, which may lead to the identification of susceptibility to particular diseases, the study of the microbial inhabitants that share the oral cavity with us, as well as a range of protocols that facilitate assessment of the molecular behavior of oral cells and tissues in health and during disease progression. Written in the highly successful Methods in Molecular Biology? series format, chapters include introductions to their respective topics, lists of the necessary materials and reagents, step-by-step, reproducible laboratory protocols, and tips on troubleshooting and avoiding known pitfalls.
Authoritative and cutting-edge, Oral Biology: Molecular Techniques and Applications is an ideal resource not only to the new researcher but also to the seasoned laboratory veteran including cell biologists, microbiologists, and any researchers intent on delving into the vital world of oral biology.
