The Mentored Clinical Scientist Development Award (K08) will allow the candidate, Dr. Wenge Ma, to develop into an independent researcher who will conduct both basic and translational research in the field of periodontal medicine. Over the course of this award, Dr. Ma will finish her PhD training in Oral and Craniofacial Sciences and complete a specialty program in Periodontology with the goal of pursuing an academic career. Both the candidate and the mentors have strong research backgrounds in microbiology and reproductive biology. In this context, the proposed experiments will investigate the enigmatic observation that patients with periodontitis have up to a seven-fold increase in their risk of developing preterm labor. Specifically, the candidate will develop a mouse model to test the hypothesis that the mucin-coated oral and uterine cavities present similar carbohydrate receptors that specify the bacterial ecology of both regions.
The specific aims are as follows.
(Aim 1) Profile salivary and uterine mucin expression in the mouse by using a combination of RT-PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunolocalization approaches.
(Aim 2) Characterize the oligosaccharide structures that are carried by mouse salivary and uterine mucins by evaluating their reactivity with a bank of antibodies and lectins that specifically react with these carbohydrate motifs.
(Aim 3) Elucidate the mechanism of mouse salivary and uterine mucin oligosaccharide sulfation by profiling expression of the relevant glycosyl sulfotransferases. The information obtained from these studies will form a sound foundation to further study the adhesive functions of mouse salivary and uterine mucins in terms of their oligosaccharide receptors that mediate bacterial and leukocyte adhesion in both regions. In summary, these experiments will show whether similar or different carbohydrate receptors govern bacterial and leukocyte adhesion in the murine oral cavity and reproductive tract. In either case, this important information could be used to design novel therapies for the prevention or treatment of preterm labor and periodontal diseases. By carrying out this research plan and completing a program in Periodontology, the candidate will receive all the necessary training to become an independent investigator pursuing a research and teaching career in academic dentistry.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)
Type
Clinical Investigator Award (CIA) (K08)
Project #
5K08DE016366-02
Application #
7105066
Study Section
NIDCR Special Grants Review Committee (DSR)
Program Officer
Hardwick, Kevin S
Project Start
2005-08-05
Project End
2010-06-30
Budget Start
2006-07-01
Budget End
2007-06-30
Support Year
2
Fiscal Year
2006
Total Cost
$101,916
Indirect Cost
Name
University of California San Francisco
Department
Dentistry
Type
Schools of Dentistry
DUNS #
094878337
City
San Francisco
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94143