A new method to analyze the oral microbiome using advanced technology
Official title: A Comprehensive qPCR-Based Oral Microbiome Profiling Platform for Research and Discovery
Funded at Branchpoint Biosciences INC. · NIH-10918615 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a new way to analyze the germs in your mouth using saliva samples, which could help us better understand dental health and its links to other health issues, making it easier to spot important microbes that regular methods might miss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Branchpoint Biosciences INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Pasadena, United States) |
| Project start | August 7, 2024 |
| Project end | August 6, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $409,403 |
| NIH project number | 1R43DE033567-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10918615 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with dental health issues or those interested in understanding their oral microbiome.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without any dental health concerns or those not interested in microbiome analysis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel qPCR-based platform to profile the oral microbiome, which is essential for understanding dental health and its connection to systemic diseases. By utilizing saliva samples, the study aims to improve the detection of low-abundance microbes that traditional sequencing methods struggle to identify. The innovative approach combines advanced genomic databases and software to create precise assays that can accurately detect specific microorganisms. This could lead to better diagnostics and insights into oral and overall health.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved diagnostic tools for dental and systemic health conditions.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown that advanced microbiome profiling techniques can yield significant insights into health conditions, suggesting this approach may also be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Branchpoint Biosciences INC.
Pasadena, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tully, Benjamin — Branchpoint Biosciences INC.
- Study coordinator: Tully, Benjamin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.