Biofilm structure and how it starts periodontal disease in humans and dogs
Official title: Biofilm Spatial Structure in the Transition from Health to Periodontal Disease
Funded at State University of New York at Albany · NIH-11402600 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A scientist team will study how sticky mouth biofilms and special bacteria may start gum disease in adults, using human teeth and dog models.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | August 1, 2022 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $416,772 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031213-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11402600 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years or older with or at risk for chronic periodontitis or gingivitis who are undergoing tooth extraction or available for sampling in dental settings.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without gum inflammation or those not participating in any sample collection or imaging procedures may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how inflammation and tiny microbial communities at the gum line interact to start periodontal disease. It will image intact biofilms on extracted teeth to see how long, filamentous cells bring bacteria into contact with gum tissue. The study also compares human and canine biofilms to find shared patterns of disease-causing structures. Finally, it will map where certain genes are active within filamentous cells when they sit next to partner species. The goal is to uncover the spatial rules that trigger early gingivitis and progression to periodontitis from a structural perspective.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Understanding biofilm structure could lead to new ways to prevent or slow gum disease.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has linked biofilm structure to periodontal disease, and this study builds on that by directly visualizing and comparing human and canine biofilms.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valm, Alex M — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Valm, Alex M
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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.