Understanding How Microbes Form Dental Plaque
Official title: Oral microbial community structure and assembly: from molecule to microbiome
Funded at State University of New York at Albany · NIH-11128345 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at how tiny organisms in your mouth come together to form dental plaque, which can lead to gum disease.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University of New York at Albany NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Albany, United States) |
| Project start | July 7, 2021 |
| Project end | June 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $361,616 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE030927-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11128345 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
This foundational research does not directly recruit patients but uses dental plaque samples from healthy donors.
✕Less likely to help
Patients not interested in the basic science of oral microbiology or those without gum health concerns may not find direct benefit from this specific research.
What this research studies
Our mouths are home to many tiny organisms that form communities called biofilms, like dental plaque. This plaque, especially at the gum line, can cause gum inflammation (gingivitis) and potentially lead to more serious gum disease (periodontitis). We are using a special lab model to see how these microbes, particularly certain string-like bacteria, arrange themselves and interact. By studying dental plaque samples from healthy individuals, we aim to uncover the molecular details of how these communities grow and function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This work could lead to new ways to prevent or treat gum disease by better understanding how dental plaque forms and contributes to oral health problems.
How similar studies have gone: While the role of biofilms in oral health is well-established, this project aims to provide novel, detailed insights into the molecular and structural aspects of their assembly.
Where this research is happening
-
State University of New York at Albany
Albany, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Valm, Alex M — State University of New York at Albany
- Study coordinator: Valm, Alex M
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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.