Federal Grant Award Summary

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (RBHS-School of Nursing) received a $431,750 Project Grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121), effective September 1, 2026 through August 31, 2028. The award funds the development of a novel, computer-aided (in silico) multivalent, multi-epitope periodontal disease vaccine designed using bioinformatics and immunoinformatics methodologies. The vaccine design leverages subtractive proteomics, reverse vaccinology, and structural bioinformatics tools to identify bacterial outer membrane protein epitopes and incorporates B-cell, cytotoxic T lymphocyte, and helper T lymphocyte epitopes into a single protein construct with in-built adjuvants and immunostimulatory molecules fused together with peptide linkers.

The project addresses the multifactorial nature of periodontal disease, which affects over 40% of the global adult population and represents a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease, diabetes, lung disease, pregnancy complications, obesity, and cancer. By moving beyond traditional vaccine approaches centered on single bacteria (Porphyromonas gingivalis), this research aims to develop an efficacious preventive intervention that could reduce tooth loss and associated systemic health complications across vulnerable populations, including older individuals, African Americans, and low-income communities. Work is performed at the awardee's Newark, New Jersey location.