How dental plaque structure may trigger gum disease
Biofilm Spatial Structure in the Transition from Health to Periodontal Disease
Researchers are comparing the arrangement and activity of bacteria in plaque from adults with healthy gums, gingivitis, and periodontitis to learn how plaque changes can start gum disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11397657 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will look at the precise layout of bacteria on extracted teeth and at the gum margin using special fluorescent probes that mark different species. Scientists will compare plaque from adults with healthy gums, gingivitis, and chronic periodontitis and will also examine similar samples from dogs to find shared harmful structures. They will map where specific genes are turned on inside long filament-like bacteria when those cells touch particular partners in the plaque. The overall goal is to link physical plaque architecture with the start of inflammation that leads to gum disease.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults (21+) with healthy gums, gingivitis, or chronic periodontitis who can donate extracted teeth or plaque samples would be ideal candidates for participation.
Not a fit: People needing immediate clinical treatment or those who cannot or will not provide tooth or plaque samples are unlikely to see direct benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could point to new ways to prevent or treat gum disease by targeting the harmful plaque structures that trigger inflammation.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows that Porphyromonas gingivalis can drive inflammation and that imaging can identify bacteria in plaque, but combining high-resolution spatial mapping with gene-expression mapping in intact biofilms is a newer approach with limited prior clinical application.
Where this research is happening
Albany, United States
- State University of New York at Albany — Albany, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valm, Alex M — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Valm, Alex M
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.