The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) received a $858,000 Project Grant award from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research (CFDA 93.121) program. This two-year research project aims to explore the mechanisms by which the anaerobic bacterium Veillonella inhibits the hemolytic activity of the oral pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis). The key objectives are to: 1) Determine how Veillonella's heme production suppresses P. gingivalis' ability to lyse red blood cells, and 2) Understand how P. gingivalis regulates heme biosynthesis in Veillonella and the impact on P. gingivalis-host immune system interactions. The research will leverage various in vitro assays, RNA sequencing analysis, and transposon mutagenesis screening to provide insights into this symbiotic relationship within the oral biofilm environment. The findings could lead to innovative periodontal disease treatments by targeting the natural regulatory mechanisms between these bacteria.
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