Laboratory of Oral Biology and Salivary Proteomics

MED-UEVORA

The Lab works in the area of Oral Biology and Salivary Proteomics, focusing the relationship between these and the food oral perception. We are also interested in the identification and quantification of salivary biomarkers of different physiological and metabolic conditions, as well as the study of salivary molecules associated with stress and well-being.

Team

Elsa Cristina Carona de Sousa Lamy

Head

Elsa Cristina Carona de Sousa Lamy

María Pérez Jiménez

Researcher

María Pérez Jiménez

Fernando M. S. C. Silva

Researcher

Fernando M. S. C. Silva

Ana C. A. P. M. Geraldo

Researcher

Ana C. A. P. M. Geraldo

Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira

Researcher

Alfredo Manuel Franco Pereira

Laura Regula Eustáquio Carreira

Researcher - PhD Student

Laura Regula Eustáquio Carreira

Teresa J. f. M. Louro

Researcher - PhD Student

Teresa J. f. M. Louro

Carla Sofia da Silva Simões

Researcher - PhD Student

Carla Sofia da Silva Simões

Contacts

Laboratório de Biologia Oral e Proteómica Salivar, MED Edifício António Santos JúniorUniversidade de Évora – Pólo da MitraApartado 947006-554 Évora, Portugal

+351 266 760 885*

* Call cost to Portugal landline

About Us

The laboratory develops its research activities in the area of oral biology and salivary proteomics (in humans and animals), in two main areas:

Food oral perception and determinants of eating behavior

  1. Relationship between salivary proteome and taste, retronasal aroma, texture and chemesthesis sensitivity
  1. Physiological and metabolic variations in food oral perception and their relationship with preferences and food choices
  2. Interaction among different food sensory stimuli (multisensory and cross-modal effects)
  3. Effect of external food cues (pre-ingestive) in salivary proteome

Salivary biomarkers in health and disease conditions

  1. Relationship between saliva and food (changes in salivary proteome and metabolome in response to food stimuli; changes in salivation through digestive development and with different food patterns)
  2. Effect of physiological and metabolic changes (e.g. obesity) in salivary proteome and metabolome
  3. Salivary biomarkers of stress and wellbeing
  4. Changes in salivary proteome and metabolome of xerostomia patients

 

Besides research, our lab provides Services in the area of proteomics and biochemical analysis of salivary molecules. Soon we will be able to provide a service for objective and reproductive quantification of astringency in food/beverage samples, using an innovative methodology based on specific artificial saliva.

Research

Currently, three main research areas can be considered in the Laboratory of Applied Animal Physiology: 1) Physiology of feeding behavior, focusing on the perception of food in the oral cavity, as well as the effects of diet type and metabolism on saliva and morphophysiology of salivary glands and oral cavity tissues; 2) Research and identification of salivary biomarkers of various physiological and/or pathological states. 3) Acclimatization and physiological adaptation to environment.

  1. Relationship between salivary proteome and taste, retronasal aroma, texture and chemesthesis sensitivity
  2. Physiological and metabolic variations in food oral perception and their relationship with preferences and food choices
  3. Interaction among different food sensory stimuli (multisensory and cross-modal effects)
  4. Effect of external food cues (pre-ingestive) in salivary proteome
  5. Relationship between saliva and food (changes in salivary proteome and metabolome in response to food stimuli; changes in salivation through digestive development and with different food patterns)
  6. Effect of physiological and metabolic changes (e.g. obesity) in salivary proteome and metabolome
  7. Salivary biomarkers of stress and wellbeing
  8. Changes in salivary proteome and metabolome of xerostomia patients

Techniques

  • Light microscopy
  • ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay)
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Two-dimensional electrophoresis
  • SDS-PAGE
  • Western blotting.

Teaching

The laboratory provides support for teaching, mainly in the areas of Biological Sciences, Biochemistry, and Animal Science, in the scope of the 3 study cycles (Graduation, Master, and PhD) through the supervision of students.

Services

The Laboratory of Applied Animal Physiology has services under the areas of expertise of this laboratory, namely proteomics and saliva analysis.

Proteomics

  • Protein separation by electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE))
  • Protein profile analysis (SDS-PAGE and 2DE) using specific software
  • Sample preparation for identification by Mass Spectrometry (MS) - digestion with proteases (e.g. trypsin) and desalting in C18 column)

Biochemical analysis to saliva samples

  • Salivary molecules quantification: cortisol, amylase, IgG, sIgA (and some hormones - information under consultancy)
  • Enzymatic activity (amylase)

Analytical evaluation of food sensory characteristics

  • Objective astringency quantification of food/beverage samples, using specific artificial saliva (to initiate soon...)

(price under consultancy)

Equipment
  • Vertical electrophoresis tubes (BioRad);
  • Transfer system for WesternBlot (BioRad);
  • Isoelectric focusing system (Multiphor II, GE);
  • Gels scanner (Epson);
  • Microplate reader (Glomax, Promega)
  • Benchtop centrifuge for 1.5 mL tubes (Eppendorf)
  • Analytical balance (VWR);
  • Shaking plate with heating;
  • Bench-top Vortex mixer (VWR);
  • Ultrasonic bath (VWR).