Kathryn Kauffman, an assistant professor at UB’s School of Dental Medicine, has established a lab to study bacteriophages, viruses that infect bacteria in and on the human body. These phages, the most abundant organisms on Earth, are being investigated by Kauffman to understand their roles in oral health and disease, with potential implications for overall human health. While phage therapy for bacterial infections is gaining attention due to antibiotic resistance, Kauffman’s research focuses on broader ecological and evolutionary aspects of phage biology.
A grant of $320,500 from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) supports Kauffman and her team’s exploration of phages associated with Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), a bacterium linked to periodontal disease. Despite Pg being studied extensively for over 40 years, little is known about its phages, leading to the discovery that phages play a significant role in the ecology of Pg. The team’s findings, published in the journal Microbiome, have unveiled three new families of viruses, shedding light on the intricate dynamics of Pg and its phages in oral health.
Beyond Pg, Kauffman’s lab is mapping the diversity of oral microbiome viruses through grants totaling over $960,000 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). By expanding the Human Oral Microbiome Database (HOMD) to include oral phages, the team aims to demonstrate the interactions between phages and various bacteria in the oral microbiome. Collaborations with experts from ADA Forsyth, J. Craig Venter Institute, and the University of Tennessee Health Science Center enhance the research scope, highlighting the broader implications of phage interactions with different bacterial species beyond Pg.
Kauffman’s enthusiasm for phage research extends to mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, such as biology major Devin Hendricks and dental student Winifred Mei. Mei’s work involves exploring new phages that infect streptococcal species found in the oral cavity by analyzing local Buffalo sewage samples. Access to raw sewage from Buffalo treatment plants presents a valuable source of undiscovered phages that can potentially impact human microbiome bacteria. Kauffman’s dedication to phage-bacteria interactions dates back to her doctoral and postdoctoral research at MIT, and she looks forward to further community engagement and educational outreach opportunities in the field.
In conclusion, Kauffman’s research at UB delves into the uncharted territory of phage biology in oral health and disease, revealing new insights into the intricate relationships between bacteria and phages in the oral microbiome. By uncovering novel phage families and expanding databases to include oral phages, this work not only enhances our understanding of phage dynamics but also paves the way for potential therapeutic applications in combating oral diseases. Collaborative efforts and mentorship in the lab underscore the importance of fostering the next generation of researchers in this burgeoning field of phage biology.
- Kauffman’s research unveils the significance of phages in the ecology of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a bacterium associated with periodontal disease.
- Grants from the NIH support the exploration of oral microbiome viruses, demonstrating diverse phage interactions with different bacterial species.
- Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, Kauffman’s lab engages in hands-on research to discover new phages and their potential impact on human health.
- By tapping into local sewage samples and collaborating with experts, the research at UB sheds light on the complex interplay between phages and bacteria in the oral microbiome.
Tags: sports, microbiome
Read more on buffalo.edu