Multidisciplinary practice-based dental research training at Meharry Medical College
Official title: Multidisciplinary Practice-Based Research Training in Meharry Medical College, School of Dentistry
Funded at Meharry Medical College · NIH-11372987 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Aimed at building a clinic-based research program at Meharry Medical College School of Dentistry to help dental professionals pursue research alongside patient care.
Quick facts
| Grant type | U01 cooperative agreement |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Meharry Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | September 13, 2023 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $581,915 |
| NIH project number | 5U01DE033241-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11372987 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Dental patients at MMCSOD and study participants who consent to data collection, specimens, or biomarker research related to periodontal disease.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not enrolled in research or not eligible for the specific biomarker studies in periodontal disease may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This grant supports creating a sustained, team-based research framework embedded in the dental clinic to connect patient care with translational studies. It includes collaboration across Meharry’s medical, graduate, and computational science programs, plus a partnership with Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Dental practitioners will gain hands-on experience in clinical and translational research, including the study of biomarkers related to periodontal disease. The program will develop research skills, methods, and practical pathways for applying science directly in patient care. The initiative focuses on sustainable infrastructure and capacity-building to turn daily clinics into living laboratories.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Patients may benefit from faster translation of dental care advances into practice and more opportunities to participate in clinically relevant research.
How similar studies have gone: Similar practice-based research initiatives in healthcare settings have shown that embedding research in clinical care can accelerate discovery and implementation.
Where this research is happening
-
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Gangula, Pandu R — Meharry Medical College
- Study coordinator: Gangula, Pandu R
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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.