How bacteria respond to oxidative stress affects oral health and disease
Official title: The impact of bacterial oxidative stress responses on the ecology and pathogenicity of oral streptococci
Funded at University of Alabama at Birmingham · NIH-11020564 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain bacteria in your mouth deal with stress from harmful substances, which could help us understand how to prevent and treat oral diseases like cavities, so you can keep your smile healthy!
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Alabama at Birmingham NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Birmingham, United States) |
| Project start | March 10, 2025 |
| Project end | February 28, 2030 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $470,279 |
| NIH project number | 1R01DE034490-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11020564 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing oral health issues, particularly those with a history of cavities or other bacterial infections in the mouth.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no oral health issues or those who do not have a significant bacterial presence in their oral cavity may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of bacterial responses to oxidative stress in the mouth, particularly focusing on the interactions between different species of oral streptococci. It aims to understand how these bacteria contribute to oral diseases like cavities by examining their ability to withstand antimicrobial agents found in saliva. The study will utilize biochemical techniques to analyze the protective mechanisms of certain bacteria against harmful substances, which could lead to new insights into maintaining oral health. Patients may benefit from findings that could inform better prevention and treatment strategies for oral diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved strategies for preventing and treating oral diseases, such as cavities.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding bacterial interactions in oral health, making this approach both relevant and promising.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Birmingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gray, Michael Jeffrey — University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Study coordinator: Gray, Michael Jeffrey
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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.