Ongoing Research
Validation and implementation of a portable, real-time sequencing device for point-of care diagnostics.
Next generation sequencing is a novel diagnostic method that can be used to identify active genes within clinical specimens obtained from sick and healthy patients. We can evaluate patients for the presence of an array of microbes including bacteria, fungal, or parasitic organisms and even neoplastic cells while at the same time determining how the patient is responding to this disease. The MinION, is increasingly utilized due to its portability, ease of use, and decreased cost and time for sample preparation. This methodology will result in major advancements in oro-dental diagnostics, which have been traditionally limited to more subjective testing namely, dental charting and x-rays. Further, it has demonstrated usefulness in the rapid detection organisms causing infections such as bacteremia (presence of viable bacteria in the bloodstream), endocarditis (life-threatening infection and inflammation of the inner lining of the heart's chambers and valves). This system will empower us, in both clinics as well as research, with more robust and accurate testing, that will lead to earlier diagnosis and more targeted treatment options for patients bringing our patient management to the next level by offering personalized and precision care.
Transcriptomic analysis of the host response in feline chronic gingivostomatitis
Feline chronic gingivostomatitis (FCGS) is a devastating, complex and chronic inflammatory gingival and mucosal disease that affects up to 12% of domestic cats causing severe signs of oral pain and leading to euthanasia in some cases. FCGS is caused by a cell-mediated immune response that is mediated by CD8+ T cells, and infection with feline calicivirus (FCV), has been seen in 92-100% of cases. Furthermore, co-infection of FCV and puma feline foamy virus (PFFV) in FCGS (69%) has been associated with lack of response to treatment. Approximately one third of cats with FCGS will not respond to extraction of almost all, if not all, of their teeth which continues to be the recommended treatment for these patients. Consequently, FCGS can be a challenging disease, not only for clinicians but for pet owners alike. Now that we are moving away from diagnosis therapy to pathway-oriented therapy there is a need to refine the diagnostic methods utilized in dentistry and oral surgery. This study will assess the host genome expression in control and FCGS affected patients, as well as in relation to response to treatment to better understand the biological pathways driving this disease as well as evaluate possible prognostic biomarkers.