PFRDG for the Development of a Saliva Biobank Startup at the College of Dental Medicine
Alireza Heidari, PhD, is an Assistant Professor/Microbiologist at the College of Dental Medicine in the Department of Oral Health and Translational Research.
Dr. Heidari received a Presidential Faculty Research and Development Grant (now referred to as President’s Research Grant – PRG) for his project titled “Development of Saliva Biobank Startup at CDM“.
Tell me briefly about your recent grant-funded project.
Biomedical research involves the use of human biological materials, necessitating the establishment of a repository for the storage and preservation of samples intended for various types of studies. Over the past decade, there has been significant interest in the utility of saliva biobanks for disease diagnosis. This interest arises from the fact that various components found in blood are also present in saliva. Salivary diagnostics have recently gained considerable attention for the detection of specific biomarkers and microbiological diagnostic tests. This is mainly due to the simplicity, noninvasiveness, painlessness, cost-effectiveness, and precision associated with collecting and processing saliva samples. Therefore, in our project, our objective is to create a high-quality standard saliva biobank within the College of Dental Medicine. This biobank will not only support our departmental research projects but will also serve as a valuable resource for the broader saliva research community, both within and outside NSU. Furthermore, the proposed study will aim to test the hypothesis that the levels of salivary Haptocorrin are related to the inflammatory status of periodontal tissue. Haptocorrin (HC), also commonly known as the R-protein, or the R-factor, is a unique glycoprotein produced by the salivary glands of the oral cavity, in response to ingestion of food. This protein binds strongly to vitamin B12 in what is an intricate and necessary mechanism to protect this vitamin from the acidic environment of the stomach. Haptocorrin is secreted in saliva and its secretion level is related to the absorption of Vitamin B12. While reduced production of Haptocorrin is reported in Sjogren’s disease and Vitamin B12 deficiency, it is largely unknown whether Haptocorrin in saliva is associated with periodontitis. Thus, in the proposed PFRDG project, we will examine the level of salivary Haptocorrin in relation to the inflammatory status of periodontal tissue, by monitoring the saliva level of Matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP8) that is one of the most promising biomarkers for periodontitis in oral fluids. Studies showed higher levels of salivary MMP-8 in periodontitis patients compared with healthy individuals.
Who is working with you on this project?
In this project, I collaborated with the Department of Oral Health and the Translational Research Team, Dr. Toshihisa Kawai. Other key team members include Dr. Cristina Garcia Godoy, Melissa Velasquez, Dr. Richard Harris Singer, and faculty members from the CDM dental clinics, namely Dr. Bibiana Garcia, Dr. Benjamin Yehuda, Tanya Farfan, Michelle, and Dr. Madera Michelle. Moreover, undergraduate students from NSU’s Department of Biological Sciences in the Halmos College of Arts and Sciences, specifically Sneh Patel and Michael Toro, actively contribute to laboratory research, sample data collection, and organization.
What opportunities and/or benefits does this grant bring to the NSU community?
The following grant project is aimed to create a high quality, standard saliva, and dental plaque biobank to serve as a resource for the saliva research community inside and outside of NSU. Active collaboration with external salivary biobanks does not currently exist at NSU CDM. As such, NSU PIs interested in the study of saliva face the complex and time-consuming process of collecting clinical samples or buying them at high price from commercial sources. Our saliva biobank will grant the scientific community at NSU and potentially other institutions, immediate access to a wide selection of saliva and dental plaque samples and associated clinical information, saving precious research time, complex IRB submissions, and additional paperwork.
In addition, this grant presents a multitude of opportunities and benefits to NSU. Firstly, this project enables faculty and students to pursue innovative projects, obtain necessary samples along with equipment, and cover research-related expenses. Moreover, grants often encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, fostering partnerships between different departments and contributing to the pool of knowledge gained through research. Students directly benefit as well from grants through research assistantships and internships, along with gaining valuable hands-on experiences. Ultimately, this grant has the potential to elevate NSU’s academic standing, expand its network of researchers, and ensure accessibility to valuable information gathered from the saliva biobank.
How does this project connect with your other work at NSU?
This project helps me to collect biological samples from different patients that present different medical conditions, which can be used in my different research projects. For example, the saliva Haptocorrin levels and its relationship with other inflammatory factors will be analyzed and the data obtained in this project will be useful for other current and future periodontal research projects that I’m involved in.
How has NSU helped you pursue and/or achieve personal and professional goals you have set for yourself? NSU resources used?
As a scientist, my goal was to secure a significant grant from NIH. NSU provided me with the opportunity to develop my research project and supported me with the PFRDG grant in 2020. Subsequently, with Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP) support, I acquired the skills necessary to apply for major grants like NIH. In 2023, I was awarded a $770,000 research grant from NIH for my project.
What advice do you have for other grant seekers at NSU?
For individuals seeking grants at NSU, I highly recommend participating in the workshops offered by the (OSP). These workshops have played a crucial role in shaping my foundational research concepts and in helping me understand the financial intricacies associated with grant applications. Moreover, the exposure to a diverse community of researchers and the networking opportunities provided by these workshops have opened numerous possibilities for me to propose and collaborate on innovative research projects and grants.
What is the next grant proposal or project on your agenda?
The primary objective of our project is to develop the following biobank. Our future goal is to expand the biobank to other biological materials such as blood, and oral Mesenchymal Stem cells and tissue samples. Our goal is to collaborate with different research or pharmaceutical companies that are interested in purchasing a high number of saliva samples for their research activities. Different private companies have started to commercialize biological samples with an average market price of each saliva sample of around $150. Based on the commercialization of the biological samples, we aim to provide samples and sampling services commercially to collect liquidity in order to self-finance and expand the biobank.