Understanding how a specific bacterium regulates its biofilm formation
Official title: Exopolysaccharide regulation in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans
Funded at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences · NIH-10862078 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific bacteria in your mouth, which can cause infections, makes a substance that helps it stick around and cause problems, with the hope of finding new ways to treat those infections.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | September 18, 2024 |
| Project end | September 17, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $431,750 |
| NIH project number | 1R21DE033781-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10862078 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for participation or benefit from this research include individuals with oral infections or periodontal disease linked to Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without oral infections or those not affected by Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans may not receive any benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the regulation of exopolysaccharides (EPS) in the oral bacterium Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, which is known for its ability to form biofilms that contribute to oral infections. The study aims to uncover the mechanisms behind EPS production and its role in the bacterium's virulence and survival in the oral environment. By exploring the regulation of EPS, the research seeks to identify potential targets for therapeutic intervention. Patients may benefit from insights that could lead to improved treatments for infections caused by this bacterium.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for preventing or treating infections associated with Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans.
How similar studies have gone: While the regulation of EPS in other bacteria has been studied, the specific mechanisms in Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans are less understood, making this research a novel exploration.
Where this research is happening
-
Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
Newark, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Ramasubbu, Narayanan — Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences
- Study coordinator: Ramasubbu, Narayanan
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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.