NITU MISIS: Tooth Control Gel

Main article: Caries

2025: Dextranase Enzyme-Based Gel Presentation

Researchers at MISIS University have presented a gel based on the enzyme dextranase, capable of fighting plaque and preventing tooth decay. In the future, the development will improve the composition of toothpastes, and will also become the basis for new means of preventing dental diseases. The university announced this on December 17, 2025.

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Фото: MISIS

A specially bred type of yeast, Pichia pastoris, thanks to genetic engineering methods, can synthesize antibodies, enzymes and even "sweet" proteins, which allows you to purposefully program the properties of the gel and adapt it to solve specific dental problems - for example, regulate viscosity, destroy biofilms or enhance antibacterial activity.

There are a number of non-pathogenic microorganisms: bacteria, yeast and mycelial fungi, which are traditionally used as a platform for the production of proteins, lipids, acids necessary in biotechnology, food industry and medicine. The method of directed biosynthesis using special microorganisms makes it possible to create your own enzymes with the specified properties in any amount, - said Ph.D. Pavel Volkov, Associate Professor of the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry, NUST MISIS.

Young researchers, led by scientists from the Department of General and Inorganic Chemistry of NUST MISIS, designed a genetic construct where there is a gene responsible for the production of the necessary dextranase enzyme in Pichia pastoris methylotrophic yeast. The scientific team studied the activity of the studied biocatalyst at different acidity indicators and the ability to affect various substrates. These data helped optimize the development for use in the human oral cavity.

This strain is especially effective for creating recombinant enzymes, since its use eliminates the need for additional chromatographic purification of proteins - yeast does not synthesize exogenously foreign proteins and other metabolites, "said NUST MISIS student Yaroslav Gorinov.

The introduction of the directed biosynthesis method in the future will help significantly reduce the cost and simplify the production of enzymes, since it eliminates one of the most costly stages, while maintaining a high purity of the final product. The approach makes it possible to obtain substances with the necessary properties, including the ability to destroy bacterial films, which can lead to tooth decay and other dental diseases.