<p>Oregon scientists discovered a gene responsible for tooth enamel production:</p>
<p><a href=“http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7907192.stm[/url] ”>http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7907192.stm</a></p> ;
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The US team from Oregon have located the gene responsible for the growth of enamel, the hard outer layer of teeth which cannot grow back naturally. </p>
<p>Other scientists are already growing the inner parts of teeth in animals - but they have no hard enamel coatings. </p>
<p>The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences work may plug this gap. </p>
<p>Experiments in mice have shown that the gene, a “transcription factor” called Ctip2, has several functions involving immune responses and the development of skin and nerves. A lot of work would still be needed to bring this to human applications, but it should work </p>
<p>Lead researcher Dr Chrissa Kioussi said: “It’s not unusual for a gene to have multiple functions, but before this we didn’t know what regulated the production of tooth enamel.” </p>
<p>The scientists found that Ctip2 was crucial for the enamel-producing cells, called ameloblasts, to form and work properly. </p>
<p>Dr Kioussi said: “This is the first transcription factor ever found to control the formation and maturation of ameloblasts, which are the cells that secrete enamel.” </p>
<p>Controlling the gene in conjunction with stem-cell technology could make the artificial creation of functional teeth a real possibility. </p>
<p>Alternatively, the knowledge could be used to strengthen existing enamel and repair damaged enamel, cutting decay and the need for fillings.
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<p>It would be totally cool if fillings could be replaced with a treatment that would make the enamel grow back. Of course, it is just a gene discovery, but it the first step. Someday… :)</p>