Translational Research - Université de Genève

Dental Bacteriology
Serge Bouillaguet
Division of Cariology and Endodontics
Serge Bouillaguet obtained his dental degree in 1983 and his Doctorate in Dental Surgery in
Marseilles in 1984. He obtained a Doctorate in Medical Dentistry at the University of Geneva
in 1989 and his Privat-Docent in 2003. He was appointed Lecturer in 2001 and appointed
Associate Professor in 2011.
Blue light-mediated inactivation of endodontic pathogens
Our research interests focus on the evaluation of current antimicrobial strategies used in
endodontics together with the development of new approaches based on the photoinactivation
of endodontic pathogens. We have identified different photosensitisers which can
be activated with conventional light curing units used in dental offices. We work on biofilm
models using plastic or glass surfaces, membranes or dentin disks. Biofilm formation and
growth are monitored by LIVE/DEAD fluorescence microscopy to simultaneously detect intact
cells and dead/injured ones. The expression virulence genes after treatment is also evaluated
by PCR.
In addition our group has routinely used cytotoxicity assays to evaluate the short or long term
biological response of cultured cells (host cells) exposed to various disinfecting agents and
endodontic biomaterials. We are assessing inflammatory reactions and oxidative stress induced
by blue light-activated photosensitisers and the likelihood of lethal damage to resident cells
resulting from such stress.
68 Université de Genève • Faculté de médecine
Pileggi G, Wataha JC, Girard M, Grad I, Schrenzel J, LangeN, Bouillaguet S (2012) Blue lightmediated
inactivation of Enterococcus faecalis in vitro. PhotoDiag PhotoTherapy (in press)
Grad I, Hibaoui Y, Jaconi M, Chicha L, Bergström-Tengzelius R, Sailani MR, Pelte MF, Dahoun S,
Mitsiadis TA, Töhönen V, Bouillaguet S, Antonarakis SE, Kere J, Zucchelli M, Hovatta O, Feki
A (2011) NANOG priming before full reprogramming may generate germ cell tumours. Eur
Cell Mater; 22:258-74
Brackett MG, Messer RL, Lockwood PE, Bryan TE, Lewis JB, Bouillaguet S, Wataha JC (2010)
Cytotoxic response of three cell lines exposed in vitro to dental endodontic sealers. J Biomed
Mater Res B Appl Biomater. 95:380-6.
Bouillaguet S, Wataha JC, Zapata O, Campo M, Lange N, Schrenzel J (2010) Production of reactive
oxygen species from photosensitizers activated with visible light sources available in dental
offices. Photomed Laser Surg. 28:519-25.
Bronnec F, Bouillaguet S, Machtou P (2010) Ex vivo assessment of irrigant penetration and
renewal during the final irrigation regimen. Int Endod J. 43:663-72.
Bronnec F, Bouillaguet S, Machtou P (2010) Ex vivo assessment of irrigant penetration and
renewal during the cleaning and shaping of root canals: a digital subtraction radiographic
study. Int Endod J. 43:275-82.
Bouillaguet S, Owen B, Wataha JC, Campo MA, Lange N, Schrenzel J (2008) Intracellular reactive
oxygen species in monocytes generated by photosensitive chromophores activated with
blue light. Dent Mater. 24:1070-6.
Contact: Serge.Bouillaguet@unige.ch
Dental Bacteriology
Université de Genève • Faculté de médecine
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