Automated robots for treating dental biofilm infections
Official title: Small Scale Robotics for Automated Dental Biofilm Theranostics
Funded at University of Pennsylvania · NIH-10840425 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how tiny robots can help treat infections in your mouth by targeting stubborn areas that are hard to reach, making dental care easier and more effective for everyone.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Pennsylvania NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Philadelphia, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $635,442 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031491-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10840425 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals suffering from oral biofilm-related infections, particularly those with complex cases involving endodontic issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without dental biofilm infections or those who do not require endodontic treatment may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing small-scale robotic systems that can effectively target and treat oral biofilm-related infections, particularly in hard-to-reach areas like the endodontic canal systems. The approach combines nanotechnology and robotics, utilizing iron oxide nanoparticles to create robots that can kill and remove biofilms while also retrieving samples for diagnostics. By automating these processes, the research aims to improve the efficacy of dental treatments and reduce the need for manual interventions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective and less invasive treatments for dental biofilm infections, improving patient outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using robotic and nanotechnology approaches for medical applications, suggesting potential success for this novel method.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Steager, Edward — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Steager, Edward
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.