Summary
Project Summary/Abstract Bacterial expression of cell surface-associated adhesin proteins facilitates the formation of biofilms. Dental plaque is a polymicrobial biofilm of the human mouth that contributes to oral infectious diseases. Formation of this dental biofilm is initiated by pioneer colonization, whereby Streptococcus species use adhesin proteins to attach to the saliva-coated tooth surface. Among the many adhesins expressed by Streptococci, the antigen type I/II (AgI/II) adhesin family is widely conserved and has been shown to mediate interactions with several host molecules and other
