Host genetics and oral microbiome: big-data clues to oral health
Official title: Host genetic and microbial determinants of oral health: Integrative analyses across population-scale datasets
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11438184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A large study will combine human genetics, saliva bacteria, and health records to understand why oral diseases like cavities and gum disease occur in different people.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2026 |
| Project end | May 31, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $629,007 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE036338-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11438184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults 21 years and older who are participants in All of Us, UK Biobank, Vanderbilt Biostatistics/All of Us subsets, and related biobanks with available saliva genomic and microbiome data.
✕Less likely to help
Individuals without access to these biobank datasets or who are not part of the included populations may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
Researchers will link host DNA data, saliva microbiome profiles, and electronic health records from multiple biobanks to study oral health. The project uses existing large datasets to explore how genetics may shape the oral microbiome and influence diseases such as dental caries and periodontitis. Findings could help identify people at higher risk and point toward personalized prevention strategies in the future.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could lead to personalized risk assessment and prevention for oral diseases.
How similar studies have gone: Preliminary analyses show saliva-based genomics can reveal disease-associated microbial patterns; this project scales that approach to a population level.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rajagopala, Seesandra Venkatappa — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Rajagopala, Seesandra Venkatappa
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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.