English

Overview

The Salivary Biology and Oral Immunology Program encourages basic and translational research on saliva and salivary gland biology, as well as immune aspects of dry mouth and oral diseases such as oral lesions and periodontal diseases. Mechanistic understanding of oral diseases sequelae in the context of systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary and autoimmune disorders are also of interest. The program encourages research in the following areas:

Salivary Biology

Overview

Through its Mineralized Tissue Physiology Program, the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research supports basic and translational science research on craniofacial skeletal biology, including tooth biology, and promotes multidisciplinary approaches to advance the understanding of normal and abnormal processes underlying oral, dental, and craniofacial diseases and disorders from the molecular to the organismal level.

Overview

The Translational Genetics and Genomics Program supports research designed to identify the genetics and genomics underlying health, diseases, and conditions of the dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) complex. The program supports human and clinical genetics and genomics projects that aim to elucidate the biological and molecular mechanisms of DOC conditions to further the fundamental understanding of genes, including a focus on the interplay of genetic and environmental factors that contribute to DOC health and disease.

Overview

The Developmental Biology and Genetics Program supports basic and pre-translational research on processes that underpin the development of craniofacial (CF) structures. Projects falling within the purview of this program may range from neural crest specification early in embryogenesis to the patterning, differentiation, and morphogenesis of the craniofacial complex, as well as the later development of teeth and craniofacial sutures.

Overview

The Data Science, Computational Biology, and Bioinformatics Program promotes data-driven research in dental, oral, and craniofacial (DOC) biology, disorders, and health disparities to inform and develop prevention strategies, diagnostics, and therapies of DOC disorders for all individuals.

Overview

This program focuses on behavioral treatments, health promotion and maintaining good health, and intervention and outcome research. Typically, such research is conducted in medical, dental, community, health care, social, and related settings, with an impact on dental, oral, and craniofacial health. Research incorporating comorbid or related medical conditions as well as person or systemic indices are especially welcome. Relevant research topics include, but are not limited to:

Overview

This program’s portfolio includes research to increase our collective knowledge on the nature of basic behavioral, psychosocial, social, and/or biopsychosocial mechanisms and processes of health-related behaviors. Projects should be designed to deepen our understanding of how and why humans initiate, adopt, maintain, and sustain behaviors that impede or promote optimal health and well-being within the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR)’s research mission.

Overview

This program focuses on utilizing knowledge across disciplines in the behavioral, social, and public health sciences to advance dental, oral, craniofacial (DOC), and systemic health for all. It supports research that examines the biological, economic, environmental, psychological, and/or social factors associated with DOC health.

Overview

The Practice-Based Research Program supports clinical research studies conducted in a clinical care setting with consenting patients. Essentially, it is research done in the “real world” of daily clinical practice. Practice-based research can generate important and timely information to guide the delivery of health care and improve patient outcomes, and it has the following features:

Overview

The HIV/AIDS and Oral Health Research Program supports basic, translational, and clinical research relevant to dental, oral, and craniofacial health on HIV/AIDS that is aligned with the Office of AIDS Research (OAR) areas of emphasis. The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research supports research to advance understanding of the underlying molecular, cellular, immunologic, and genetic mechanisms of HIV infection; the development of oral comorbidities associated with HIV/AIDS; and the effects of HIV treatments on oral and dental tissues.