Host tsRNAs: Tiny RNA messengers shaping our oral microbes
Official title: Host tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) mediate interactions between host and oral microbes
Funded at Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. · NIH-11261230 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A researcher is studying tiny saliva-borne RNAs that may influence how our mouth bacteria behave and interact with our body’s defenses.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Somerville, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | February 22, 2022 |
| Project end | January 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $468,431 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE030943-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11261230 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
People with oral health concerns or susceptibility to periodontal disease could benefit from future applications informed by this research.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without oral health issues may be less directly affected in the short term.
What this research studies
This project looks at small RNA molecules released in saliva that can travel in exosomes and potentially modulate the genes of oral bacteria. By using human oral cell models challenged with bacteria like Fusobacterium nucleatum, researchers will identify which tsRNAs are produced and how they affect bacterial gene activity. The goal is to understand a new layer of communication between our own cells and the oral microbiome, which could inform ways to protect oral health. The study combines molecular biology, cell culture, and analysis of bacterial responses to uncover these interactions.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new strategies to maintain a healthy oral microbiome and prevent infections.
How similar studies have gone: Early studies in other systems suggest that host-derived tsRNAs can influence microbial gene expression, but work in the human oral microbiome is still emerging.
Where this research is happening
-
Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
Somerville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: He, Xuesong — Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: He, Xuesong
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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.