Genetics and the Inflammatory Connection

Presented by: Ronald McGlennen, MD

Original Presentation Date: September 17, 2017

Course Description: 

There is broad support for the idea that many oral diseases are caused by the combination of bacteria (and viruses) and by the intensity of the host response (inflammation) to those pathogens.  Why do only some of the seemingly ordinary and mostly healthy people get periodontal disease and others do not?  By extension, what is the more fundamental explanation about why people with periodontal disease are also at risk for diseases of the heart, blood vessels, endocrine system, and other organs?  In short, the answer is genetics.  This course will discuss the genetic basis for oral and systemic health at the molecular level and through risk assessment using genetic information.

Learning Objectives:

• Explain the concepts of innate and acquired immunity in the context of periodontal infections, demonstrating a comprehensive grasp of these immune processes.
• Analyze the mechanisms by which oral bacteria trigger local and systemic inflammation, evaluating the link between inflammation and conditions like cardiovascular diseases and specific cancers.
• Apply knowledge about genetic variations in immune-related genes, assessing their role in increasing the susceptibility to chronic and systemic diseases.
• Analyze and assess a new generation of immune-modulating medications, evaluating their potential for reducing the incidence of certain blood vessel-related diseases and lowering cancer risks.
• Additionally, analyze how these medications function in immune modulation.

Speaker Bio:

Ronald McGlennen, MD, is President and Medical Director of Access Genetics and OralDNA Labs. He has published over 70 scientific articles and book chapters and served as the editor of five journals. He holds nine issued and pending patents. He is board-certified in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology and also by the American Board of Medical Genetics, with a Specialty in Clinical Molecular Genetics. He is internationally recognized as an expert in Molecular Biology and Genetics. His focus in research has been on reducing the complexity of gene-based testing, including DNA chip technology and simple analytic instrumentation to serve the community laboratory better. He has served on a series of governmental and regulatory committees focused on the growth of the field of molecular diagnostics, as showcased in various online conferences and platforms like Replenish PDX, Holistic Nutrition Lab, and the Hashimoto Institute.