A University of Iowa researcher Dr. Shareef Dabdoub has been awarded a grant (R03) from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to investigate the complex role of viruses in oral health and disease. The grant, totaling $311,000, will support two years of research.
Although bacteria have traditionally been the focus of oral microbiome research, Dr. Dabdoub’s study will delve into the often-overlooked world of the oral virome. The vast and diverse community of viruses plays a critical role in maintaining oral balance and may contribute to the development of oral diseases. By analyzing existing data from hundreds of previous studies, Dr. Dabdoub and his team will employ advanced computational tools to identify and characterize the viruses present in the oral cavity.
“This research is groundbreaking as it will provide a comprehensive understanding of the oral virome for the first time, in particular the underexplored population of phages” said Dr. Dabdoub. “By uncovering the intricate relationship between viruses, bacteria, and oral health, we hope to identify new targets for preventing and treating oral diseases, as well as exploring alternative approaches to antibiotics.”
As antibiotic resistance among bacteria increases, it is increasingly important to find treatments other than antibiotics that can improve oral health. As such, Dr. Dabdoub’s findings have the potential to revolutionize oral healthcare by shedding light on this previously unexplored area of research. This study may lead to the development of novel therapies and diagnostic tools, ultimately improving the oral health of millions of people.
Dr. Dabdoub is an assistant professor in the Department of Periodontics and in the Division of Biostatistics and Computational Biology at the University of Iowa College of Dentistry. His co-investigator for the study is Dr. Sukirth Ganesan, associate professor in the Department of Periodontics.
The University of Iowa College of Dentistry is a global leader in oral science research, and it received $4.6 million dollars in funding from the NIDCR placing the college 12th in funding among all dental schools in the United States. These funds account for about half of all external research funding at the college.
Research reported on this website was supported by the National Institutes of Health and the National Institutes of Dental and Craniofacial Research under Award Number 1R03DE033993-01. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.