Oral Microbiology
Prof.Sumitomo Tomoko E-mail: sumitomo.tomoko@tokushima-u.ac.jp
Dental caries and periodontal disease are infectious diseases caused by bacteria colonizing in the oral cavity. Diverse pathogens utilize the mucosal epithelial cells of the nasopharynx and oral cavity as portal of entry to invade into host cells and develop systemic severe infectious diseases, including COVID-19, influenza and aspiration pneumonia. The Division of Oral Microbiology is devoted to elucidating the pathogenesis of oral microorganisms in systemic diseases. We are trying to develop promising therapeutic strategies as alternatives to the administration of conventional antibiotics and antiviral agents for broad-spectrum prevention, as well as management of infectious diseases.
Research Projects
- Elucidation of Pathogenesis of oral microorganisms in systemic diseases
- Development of high-performance small molecule antibodies
- Application and bioengineering of bacteriophage
- Mechanism of oral antimicrobial peptides