Targeting MERTK to help jaw bone regrow after tooth loss
Mertk-driven regeneration of alveolar bone
This project looks at whether blocking a protein called MERTK can help the jawbone rebuild itself after tooth extraction or tooth loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Ann Arbor, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11318913 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers will use laboratory models where MERTK is blocked with drugs or removed genetically to see how that changes bone healing after a tooth is taken out. They will study how resident jaw bone stem cells respond and how immune cells are recruited and behave in the extraction socket. The team aims to understand the repair steps—wound healing, inflammation resolution, and bone growth—that must be coordinated for predictable bone regrowth. Results could point to new ways to encourage stronger, more reliable jaw bone formation for dental implants or grafts.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are people who have lost one or more teeth and need improved jawbone healing—such as those undergoing tooth extraction, bone grafting, or preparing for dental implants.
Not a fit: Patients with bone loss from causes unrelated to tooth extraction (for example cancer-related bone disease) or those with uncontrolled medical issues that prevent normal healing may not see direct benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to new treatments that improve jaw bone regrowth after tooth loss, making implants and grafts more predictable and successful.
How similar studies have performed: Preclinical work in models has shown improved alveolar bone fill when MERTK is blocked or deleted, but this approach has not yet been tested in people.
Where this research is happening
Ann Arbor, United States
- University of Michigan at Ann Arbor — Ann Arbor, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Decker, Ann Marie — University of Michigan at Ann Arbor
- Study coordinator: Decker, Ann Marie
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.