A-State Receives $1.77 Million NIH Grant to Conduct Oral Health Research

JONESBORO – While most people know that tooth decay can lead to an unattractive smile, the effects of this disease have serious impacts on a person's overall health.

A faculty member in the Beck College of Science and Mathematics at Arkansas State University (A-State) has secured federal funding to conduct extensive research on this issue with the goal of better understanding its causes and effects.

Dr. Robert Shields, associate professor of microbiology in the Department of Biological Sciences and the grant's principal investigator, sought funding through the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"Tooth decay is one of the most common diseases affecting humans," he added. "It creates a significant health and economic burden for people in the United States."

Shields will lead a team of faculty, doctoral candidates, research students and laboratory specialists who will delve into the complex molecular mechanisms underlying the agents that cause tooth decay.

The research team also includes Dr. Lisa McLellan of Purdue University Fort Wayne, a molecular microbiology expert who runs her own lab.

Shields explained that "In this study, we will investigate the process of genetic information transfer between bacteria, a process that spreads antibiotic resistance and drives pathogen evolution." "We will focus our research on understanding this process within the oral cavity and determining its role in supporting the development of tooth decay."

The $1.77 million grant, spanning five years, will support the research team's work and cover chemical reagents, travel costs to present findings at scientific conferences, and other expenses related to their work.

Dr. Jennifer Bouldin, dean of the Beck College of Science and Mathematics, said, "Dr. Robert Shields' grant is an exciting opportunity to advance his research on oral health." "This highly competitive NIH R01 grant supports health-related research by a researcher in their area of expertise. The Beck College is thrilled to see Dr. Shields receive this prestigious award and continue his research on this important topic."

Dr. Travis Marsico, associate vice chancellor for research, innovation and discovery and executive director of the Arkansas Biosciences Institute at A-State, noted that this grant, NIH R01, is the leading funding mechanism for researchers studying human health. The NIH R01 is the gold standard because it supports significant hypothesis-driven research backed by preliminary data; the recent funding rate is just over 21% of applications nationwide.

"I am thrilled that Dr. Rob Shields has won an NIH R01 award for his research on the bacteria that cause tooth decay," he stated. "The discoveries that come from his team's work have important implications for basic science and human health for the people of Arkansas."

This new grant is only the second R01 and the eighth NIH grant in A-State's history. He noted that it is also the largest NIH grant in the university's history.

"With our recent focus on expanding research development, the goal of the Research and Technology Transfer team is to help these types of awards become a regular occurrence on campus."

A related development within A-State's flourishing research enterprise will get underway early next year.

"As part of our expansion of NIH-funded programs, A-State was selected to participate in a new program called Engagement and Access for Research Active Institutions (EARA), which will help researchers on campus identify suitable funding opportunities from NIH," Marsico continued. "The program will begin in February 2025. Fourteen faculty members have expressed interest, and Dr. Shields has agreed to mentor faculty pursuing NIH funding. His efforts have been successful, and he has built a strong relationship with his NIH program director."