The Ohio State University: College of Dentistry

Research Support

Current and previous funding and/or sources of research support that have powered the science and fueled discoveries within the Kaspar Lab


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NIH NIDCR R03 DE031766

The dental caries (tooth decay) pathogen Streptococcus mutans lives in multi-species biofilms and commonly interacts with other oral bacteria. This research project is designed to determine how S. mutans changes its gene expression when encountering other species of oral bacteria, and whether these gene expression changes provide a fitness benefit to help S. mutans grow and compete against them.

Colgate CARE Award

The goal of this research project is to determine if specific displayed biofilm phenotypes by S. mutans clinical isolates impacts their disease potential and/or ability to be cleared by common oral healthcare treatments, a critical first step in determining if biofilm architecture influences healthcare outcomes.

Ohio State College of Dentistry Seed Grant

Streptococcus sobrinusis an understudied odontopathogen that is implicated in the demineralization of tooth enamel. While not found as commonly as Streptococcus mutans, the pair found together can lead to increased severity of decay and disease. This research project aims to determine how and why the combo can lead to worsened disease outcomes. 

 


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