Proteomics - The Future of Periodontal Diagnostics

Abstract

Recent advances of proteomic meth¬odologies have opened new opportunities to obtain relevant information on normal and abnormal processes occurring in the human body. Identifying unique patterns of protein expression, or biomarkers, associated with specific diseases is one of the most promising areas of clinical proteomics. Advances in proteomic technologies have enabled comprehensive profiling of protein expression in cells, tissue, and body fluids. The use of proteins as biomarkers for periodontal disease has been the focus of researchers over the last few years. Unfortunately, many single protein biomarkers have proven to be unreliable. Developing new diagnostic tests that can simultaneously analyze the expression of multiple proteins may enable early detection, targeted preventive measures and individualized therapeutic intervention of periodontal diseases. This review discusses the main proteomic techniques and their potential applications in the field of periodontal diagnostics.