Exploring how multiple microbes interact to drive inflammatory mouth diseases
Official title: An experimental platform to investigate the role of polymicrobial synergy in oral inflammatory dysbiosis
Funded at Oregon Health & Science University · NIH-11341069 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A research project uses animal models to study how complex microbial communities in the mouth trigger and sustain inflammatory diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Oregon Health & Science University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Portland, United States) |
| Project start | August 26, 2026 |
| Project end | July 31, 2031 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $557,951 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE035850-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11341069 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Patients with odontogenic abscesses or other inflammatory oral diseases could benefit from future advances informed by this work.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals or those without inflammatory oral diseases may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will use mouse models and human-derived dental samples to build a polymicrobial abscess system. They aim to understand how combined microbes and the body’s immune response create ongoing inflammation and tissue damage. The work focuses on translating clinical specimens into animal models to study disease mechanisms and identify ways to better prevent or treat these conditions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could lead to better understanding of oral inflammatory diseases and inform new therapies to reduce tissue damage.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies show that polymicrobial communities can influence disease severity in animal models, supporting continued exploration in this area.
Where this research is happening
-
Oregon Health & Science University
Portland, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merritt, Justin — Oregon Health & Science University
- Study coordinator: Merritt, Justin
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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.