Understanding how soft tissue attaches to teeth
Official title: Molecular mechanisms mediating the soft tissue attachment to teeth
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-11087538 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain signals in the body help keep the important tissue around your teeth healthy, especially after it's been damaged, and it aims to find new ways to treat gum diseases.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | February 20, 2023 |
| Project end | January 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $702,555 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE031270-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11087538 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with periodontal disease or those at risk of developing such conditions.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with healthy gums and no history of periodontal issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms that maintain the junctional epithelium (JE), a critical tissue for the health of teeth and surrounding structures. The study focuses on the role of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in the maintenance and regeneration of the JE, particularly after damage or disease. By using advanced techniques such as gene expression analysis and lineage tracing in mouse models, researchers aim to identify the cellular components and signals that support the JE's function. This knowledge could lead to new therapeutic strategies for periodontal diseases.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for periodontal diseases, enhancing the preservation of teeth and surrounding tissues.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results in understanding tissue regeneration mechanisms, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Helms, Jill a — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Helms, Jill a
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Multimodal AI to predict CAR-T patient response and guide safer, smarter cell design
A Stanford team is building AI tools that use patient and CAR-T cell data to predict how well a CAR-T therapy will work and what design changes might boost effectiveness and safety for people with cancer.
-
Community-driven model to reduce overdose deaths through smarter resource use
A Stanford-led project uses a data-driven model to help counties pick the best ways to prevent opioid and stimulant overdoses and save lives.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation at Stanford: Research Core
A Stanford-based program is advancing how evidence-based addiction treatments are implemented across settings to help people with substance use disorders receive better care.
-
Center for Dissemination and Implementation At Stanford (C-DIAS)
A center-based program at Stanford aims to speed people who need addiction treatments to get evidence-based care.
-
Mitochondrial structure and neuron health in Alzheimer's and ALS
This grant studies how mitochondrial cristae structure in neurons is controlled and how its disruption may contribute to diseases like Alzheimer's and ALS.
-
Pediatric EMS seizures: simpler age-based midazolam dosing
A nationwide trial at EMS agencies tests whether using fixed, age-based dosing of midazolam for seizures in children improves treatment speed and safety.
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.