Based on the results of experiment , the synthetic AMPs can be used to inhibit S.mutans and the E.coli detector can be used to detect S.mutans. But how can we implement the AMPs products and E.coli detector system in the real word?
Prevention products with AMPs—A functional chewing gum
As we all know that the common oral products on the market are toothpaste and mouthwash.Firstly, we wanted to develop a toothpaste by adding AMPs or synthetic AMP probiotics. But, we learned from the supermarket toothpaste shopping guide that the existing toothpaste market is close to saturation. All kinds of products are relatively comprehensive and there are also many types of toothpaste with anti-caries effect. It is worth mentioning that people generally brush their teeth for less than 3 minutes. This brushing time is not satisfied with the generation time of our antimicrobial peptides. The shopping guide recommends us to make more exciting products with AMPs.
In order to solve the problem of oral colonization of probiotics, we decided to make braces or dental hydrogel stickers.We were fortunate to interview Mr. Lu from Hyundai Dental Instrument Company.He told us that although the production cost of braces is not high, everyone needs to customize. In addition, the target population of moth prevention is mainly children, so we have to consider whether the user experience is well. Therefore, after more market research and literature research ,we developed a prevention product -chewing gum with probiotics. The CFU test results showed that probiotic chewing gum could be developed to product in real word. This product can be as a functional food to sale on the market.
Fig.1 The picture of preparation chewing gum
E.coli detector system—A POCT system for community healthcare service,dental clinics and even home
Through literature research and doctor consulting, we know that the diagnosis methods of dental caries and the detecting S.mutans method require special equipment and only be used in hospital. Actually, in china , there are more and more community healthcare service, which greatly facilitates health care of people.Furthermore, there are also many dental clinics . However, for these institutions, more convenient and faster testing equipment is a better choice. After interviewing Mr. Zheng from Timing Technology Company. We learned that there is no this type of equipment and he encouraged us to make an mini instrument to be used at community hospitals, small clinics, and even home for point-of-care testing (POCT).
In order to obtain professional guidance, we consulted Deng Rongkang, a medical equipment R & D Engineer. He introduced in detail the key points of the research and development of instruments, and guided us to design a more professional detection device.After many attempts and improvements ,we developed a POCT system including test kit and device.For the kit,we have a special design for the lid. When using, press the button on the lid to press the dry powder into the broth in the tube (Fig.2).For the device, we used metal bath device to heat, and carefully designed the observation window, illumination, anaerobic culture, heating module, temperature control system, space sealing and other technologies. we also uses touch screen intelligent control system to improve man-machine interactive technology. Fig.3 show that we successfully cultivated the flora using our POCT test kit and device.Fig.4 show the use step of our POCT system in the real word.
Fig.2 Design of the lid with engineered E.coli powder
Fig.3 The result of POCT testing
Fig.4 The detection procedure of S.mutans