How dental plaque forms and harms the gums
Molecular Aspects of Oral Plaque Formation
Researchers are looking at how different mouth bacteria interact and send signals that lead to dental plaque and gum disease in people with periodontal problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Louisville NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Louisville, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308311 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
They grow and examine mouth bacteria in the lab to see how different species stick together and change each other's behavior. The team focuses on organisms linked to periodontitis, including Porphyromonas gingivalis, Streptococcus gordonii, and Fusobacterium nucleatum, and measures chemicals like para-aminobenzoic acid (pABA) that affect community behavior. The project studies molecular signaling—such as the Ptk1 tyrosine kinase and one-carbon metabolism—that controls whether a bacterial community becomes more or less damaging. Some experiments may use models or patient-derived samples to test whether interfering with these signals can reduce plaque-related damage.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with gum disease (gingivitis or periodontitis) or persistent dental plaque would be the most relevant candidates for related clinical recruitment or sample donation.
Not a fit: People without oral health issues or whose symptoms are unrelated to bacterial plaque (for example, genetic or trauma-related gum loss) are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or treat gum disease by disrupting harmful bacterial interactions or their signals.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have identified key bacteria like P. gingivalis and shown that interspecies interactions matter, but translating these findings into human treatments remains early.
Where this research is happening
Louisville, United States
- University of Louisville — Louisville, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lamont, Richard J — University of Louisville
- Study coordinator: Lamont, Richard J
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 below.