Molecules that control growth of the gum‑disease bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis
Identification of diffusible small molecules that regulate replication of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Researchers will look for tiny natural molecules that help the gum‑disease bacterium P. gingivalis grow from very small numbers, aiming to inform better ways to prevent or treat periodontitis.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Buffalo NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Amherst, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11308744 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project will identify soluble chemical signals made by different strains of P. gingivalis and by a common mouth bacterium, Veillonella parvula, that help P. gingivalis grow from low starting numbers. Scientists will use chemical analyses to find and characterize small molecules in bacterial culture fluids and genetic methods to test which bacterial genes make or respond to those molecules. They will compare multiple P. gingivalis strains—some that produce menaquinone‑related compounds and some that do not—to see whether different signals work in different strains. The goal is to reveal how P. gingivalis establishes itself in the mouth and to point to ways to block that process.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults with active periodontitis or known oral colonization by P. gingivalis would be the most likely candidates for future studies that build on this work.
Not a fit: People whose gum problems are not linked to P. gingivalis or whose care does not involve bacterial colonization may not directly benefit from these findings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to prevent or block P. gingivalis colonization and reduce gum disease and its related health risks.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab work suggests menaquinone‑related compounds can stimulate P. gingivalis growth, but identifying the exact diffusible signals across different strains is a new and largely untested area.
Where this research is happening
Amherst, United States
- State University of New York at Buffalo — Amherst, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Diaz, Patricia — State University of New York at Buffalo
- Study coordinator: Diaz, Patricia
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.