NIH-funded research NIH-funded research

Building a facility to study the oral microbiome in animals

Official title: UB Microbiome Center Gnotobiotic Animal Research Facility

Funded at State University of New York at Buffalo · NIH-11015421 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study is building a special lab at the University at Buffalo to help scientists understand how the bacteria in our mouths can affect our overall health, especially in relation to diseases like colon cancer and heart problems, so they can find new ways to improve treatments for everyone.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionState University of New York at Buffalo
NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Amherst, United States)
Project startSeptember 15, 2024
Project endMay 31, 2029
Funding year2024
Award (this year)$7,385,819
NIH project number1C06OD037771-01
Project IDNIH-11015421 on NIH RePORTER

Who could benefit from this research

Could help

Ideal candidates for benefiting from this research include individuals with conditions related to the oral microbiome, such as inflammatory bowel disease, colon cancer, and cardiovascular diseases.

Less likely to help

Patients who do not have any oral microbiome-related conditions or diseases may not receive direct benefits from this research.

What this research studies

This research focuses on constructing a new Gnotobiotic Animal Research Facility at the University at Buffalo to explore the complex interactions of the oral microbiome and its impact on human health. By using gnotobiotic animal models, researchers can create controlled environments to study how different human microbiomes associated with various diseases affect health outcomes. This facility aims to bridge the gap between observational studies in humans and experimental science, allowing for the testing and validation of hypotheses related to diseases like colon cancer and cardiovascular conditions. The research will provide insights into how the oral microbiome influences systemic diseases and could lead to transformative discoveries in medical science.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new insights and treatments for diseases linked to the oral microbiome, improving patient health outcomes.

How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown success using gnotobiotic models to study microbiome interactions, indicating that this approach is promising and has the potential for significant findings.

Where this research is happening

  • State University of New York at Buffalo
    Amherst, United States
    Active

Researchers

  • Principal investigator: Kirkwood, Keith L — State University of New York at Buffalo
  • Study coordinator: Kirkwood, Keith L

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About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.