Developing a sensor to quickly assess gum disease using saliva samples
Official title: SCH: Multidimensional Microfluidic Salivary Sensor with Adversarial Knowledge Distillation for Point-of-Care Assessment of Periodontitis and Comorbidities
Funded at Illinois Institute of Technology · NIH-11170093 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new device that can quickly check your saliva for signs of gum disease, making it easier for you to keep track of your dental health at home or in the dentist's office.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Illinois Institute of Technology NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, United States) |
| Project start | September 23, 2021 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $84,708 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DE031832-04S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11170093 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adults over 21 years old who are at risk for or currently experiencing periodontal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not have periodontal disease or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on creating a prototype sensor that can rapidly analyze saliva to detect biomarkers associated with periodontitis, a common gum disease. By utilizing advanced machine learning techniques, the device aims to provide quick and accurate predictions of periodontal health, which can be used in dental offices or at home. The goal is to make this technology user-friendly and affordable, allowing for early detection and better management of gum disease, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier detection and management of periodontitis, reducing the need for invasive treatments and improving overall oral health.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promise in using biosensors and machine learning for disease detection, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Rong R. — Illinois Institute of Technology
- Study coordinator: Wang, Rong R.
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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.