Scientists from the Forsyth Institute have provided more oral bacteria to the Human Microbiome Project than any other organization, according to the institute.
The project seeks to identify and sequence the thousands of species of bacteria inhabiting human body surfaces and determine the role of microbiota in human health and disease.
Genome sequences of the oral bacteria are being determined in collaboration with the four project sequencing centers. These sequences will allow the scientific community to analyze the disease-causing potential of oral microorganisms
"Many of the strains that we have identified, and are making available to the scientific community, are unnamed and previously uncultured species," said Floyd Dewhirst, D.D.S., a Forsyth scientist, in a press release. "The availability of these strains will allow scientists worldwide to study them for the first time."
The Forsyth efforts are supported by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.
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