Christine D. Wu, PhD

Professor

Research Interests

My main research program involves the exploration and identification of plant-derived oral antimicrobial agents for the control of oral pathogens and their biofilms. Many such compounds have been identified, and their mechanistic studies against oral pathogens have been evaluated. These compounds may find application directly as dental prophylactic/therapeutic agents or serve as lead compounds for the subsequent design and synthesis of new agents that are safer and more effective than the existing ones. The mechanistic studies of natural agents that interfere or prevent dental plaque microbial biofilm formation are emphasized and the effects of these agents on de- and re-mineralization of dental caries lesions are also examined. Clinical studies conducted in my laboratory include the investigations of natural products, beverages, snack foods, or chewing gums on human oral microflora, plaque biofilm accumulation and acidity/glycolysis. I am an advocate and promoter of functional foods for oral health. Research by our team in this respect has gained both national and international reputation. Our studies on tea, honey, raisins, dried plums, cranberries, etc. have greatly contributed to the field of nutrition and functional foods that benefit oral health.

Publications

Wu, C.D. Grape Products and oral health. J. Nutrition. 139(9):1818S-1823S. 2009.

Yildiz, S., K.P. Leung, and C.D. Wu. The effect of lactoferrin on oral bacterial attachment. Oral Micro Immuno. 24(5):411-6. 2009.

Utreja, A, P. Lingstrom, L.B. Salzmann, C.A. Evans, and C.D. Wu. The effect of raisin-containing cereals on the pH of dental plaque in young children. Ped Dent. 31(7): 151-154. 2009.

Rivero-Cruz, J.F., M. Zhu, A.D. Kinghorn, and C.D. Wu. Antimicrobial constituents in Thompson seedless raisins (Vitis vinifera) against selected oral pathogens. Phytochemistry letters. 1(3):151-154. 2008.

Xie, Q., A.K. Bedran-Russo, and C.D. Wu. “In Vitro Remineralization effects of grape seed extract on artificial root caries”. J. Dentistry. 36(11): 900-906. 2008.

Naval S., A. Koerber, L. Salzmann, I. Punwani, B. Johnson, C. D. Wu. Effect of Beverages on plaque acidogenicity after a sugary challenge. J Amer Dent Assoc. In press. 2013.

Liu J., J.Q. Ling, K. Zhang, C.D. Wu. Changes in physiological properties of Streptococcus mutans biofilm-detached cells. FEMS Microbiol Lett 2013 Epub.

Gong S.Q., L.N. Niu, L.K. Kemp, C.K. Yiu, H. Ryou, Y.P Qi, J.D. Blizzard, S. Nikonov, M.G. Brackett, R.L. Messer, C.D. Wu, J. Mao, L. Bryan Brister, F.A. Rueggeberg, D.D. Arola, D.H. Pashley, F.R. Tay. Quaternary ammonium silane-functionalized, methacrylate resin composition with antimicrobial activities and self-repair potential.Acta Biomater. 2012 Sep;8(9):3270-82. Epub 2012 May 2

Gong S.Q., J. Epasinghe, F.A. Rueggeberg, L.N. Niu, D. Mettenberg, C.K. Yiu, J.D. Blizzard, C.D. Wu, J. Mao, C.L. Drisko, D.H. Pashley, F.R. Tay. An ORMOSIL containing orthodontic acrylic resin with concomitant improvements in antimicrobial and fracture toughness properties. PLoS One, 7(8):e42355, 2012. Epub 2012 Aug 1.

Xie Q, B.R. Johnson, C.S. Wenckus, M.I. Fayad, C.D. Wu. Efficacy of berberine, an antimicrobial plant alkaloid, as an endodontic irrigant against a mixed-culture biofilm in an in vitro tooth model. J Endodon. 38(8):1114-1117, 2012.

Wu C.D. The impact of food components and dietary factors on oral health. Journal of Food and Drug Analysis, Vol 20 (Suppl. 1): 270-274, 2012.

Xu X, X.D. Zhou, and C.D. Wu. Tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate inhibits Streptococcus mutans biofilm formation by suppressing gtf genes. Archives Oral Biol. 57(6):678-83, 2012.

Chow, C.K.W., C.D. Wu, and C.A. Evans. In vitro properties of orthodontic adhesives with fluoride or amorphous calcium phostate. Int. J. Dent. 583521, 2011. Epub 2011 Sep 6.

Xu X., X.D. Zhou, and C.D. Wu. The tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate suppresses cariogenic Virulence factors of Streptococcus mutans. Antimicrobial Agent and Chemotherapy, 55:1229-1236, 2011.

Wei, GX. X. Xu, and C. D. Wu. In vitro synergism between berberine and miconazole against planktonic and biofilm of Candida cultures. J. Oral Biol. 56:565-572, 2011.

Zhu, M., R. Carvalho, A. Scher, and C. D. Wu. Short-term Germ-killing Effect of Sugar-sweetened Cinnamon Chewing Gum on Salivary Anaerobes Associated with Halitosis. J Clin. Dent. 22:23-26. 2011.

Xu X., X.D. Zhou, and C.D. Wu. Tea catechin epigallocatechin gallate suppresses mgI gene associated with halitosis. J. Dent. Res. 11:1304-1308. 2010.

Wu C.D. and G. Wei. Tea as a functional food for oral health. In: Wilson M, ed. Food constituents and oral health: Current status and future prospects. FL: CRC Press LLC, p.396-417. 2009