Understanding how oral bacteria manage zinc levels
Official title: Mechanisms of Metal Ion Homeostasis of Oral Streptococci
Funded at University of Florida · NIH-11099975 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how a specific bacteria that causes cavities, called Streptococcus mutans, handles zinc in its environment, with the goal of finding better ways to create mouth products that can fight this bacteria and improve your dental health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Florida NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Gainesville, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | May 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $453,948 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE032555-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11099975 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals experiencing dental caries or other oral health problems related to bacterial infections.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with no dental issues or those who do not have a history of oral health problems may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how the bacteria responsible for dental caries, specifically Streptococcus mutans, manage zinc levels in their environment. By examining the mechanisms that allow these bacteria to tolerate high concentrations of zinc, the study aims to uncover new ways to develop targeted antimicrobial therapies. The research employs advanced techniques such as transcriptome analysis and mutational studies to identify key proteins involved in zinc tolerance. Patients may benefit from improved oral health products that effectively target harmful bacteria while minimizing side effects.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of more effective treatments for dental caries and related oral health issues.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in targeting bacterial mechanisms for antimicrobial therapy, suggesting that this approach could yield significant advancements.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Florida
Gainesville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lemos, Jose a — University of Florida
- Study coordinator: Lemos, Jose a
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.