Peptides to block the gum bacterium P. gingivalis
Official title: Development and characterization of anti-P. gingivalis peptides
Funded at Meharry Medical College · NIH-11379463 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are creating small protein pieces (peptides) that aim to stop P. gingivalis, a bacterium linked to periodontitis, to help people with gum disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Meharry Medical College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $145,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R16GM149359-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-11379463 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with chronic periodontitis, especially those known or suspected to have P. gingivalis involvement, would be the main beneficiaries and likely candidates for later-stage testing.
✕Less likely to help
People without P. gingivalis-related gum disease, those with primarily non-infectious dental problems, or those needing urgent dental surgery are unlikely to benefit directly from this preclinical work.
What this research studies
This project develops small peptides based on a protein piece (SAPP) from a mouth bacterium that naturally suppresses P. gingivalis. The team will design and test these peptides in the lab to see if they stick to P. gingivalis surface proteins and lower expression of genes that make the bacterium harmful. They will identify which bacterial receptors the peptides target and measure whether treated bacteria are less able to damage gum tissues in laboratory models. If laboratory results are promising, the work could lead to testing samples or treatments that might be offered to people with periodontitis in later stages.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that reduce P. gingivalis virulence and help prevent or limit gum tissue damage from periodontitis.
How similar studies have gone: Anti-virulence approaches are relatively new but prior laboratory work showing that Streptococcus cristatus molecules can suppress P. gingivalis supports this as a promising preclinical direction.
Where this research is happening
-
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wang, Qingguo — Meharry Medical College
- Study coordinator: Wang, Qingguo
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Administrative Core for a health research program
A large NIH-funded core supports ongoing patient-related research at Meharry Medical College to streamline operations, data, and collaboration.
-
Health disparities research program at Meharry Medical College
Aims to advance basic, behavioral, and clinical health research to reduce health disparities affecting minority communities, especially African American women.
-
Host immune control of HIV-1: how certain hosts and viral mutations limit replication
Researchers are studying how a specific immune response in some people with HIV can naturally keep the virus in check without daily medicine.
-
Butyrate-based approach to prevent vision loss in premature babies with retinopathy
A study is exploring whether increasing butyrate levels can prevent vision-damaging retinopathy in premature infants by addressing gut bacteria and metabolic pathways.
-
Mitochondrial Calcium Sensing in Aging and Memory with TUSC2
A small mitochondrial protein called TUSC2 may help protect brain cells from aging-related cognitive decline by keeping mitochondria functioning properly.
-
Role of the HIV-1 Capsid in Viral DNA Integration
A new NIH grant is exploring how the HIV-1 capsid protein helps HIV insert its DNA into human cells, with the aim of guiding the development of better antiviral drugs.
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.