Role of periodontal bacteria-derived dihydroceramides in Alzheimer's disease

Information

  • Research Project
  • 10041410
  • ApplicationId
    10041410
  • Core Project Number
    K02AG068595
  • Full Project Number
    1K02AG068595-01
  • Serial Number
    068595
  • FOA Number
    PA-19-132
  • Sub Project Id
  • Project Start Date
    8/1/2020 - 3 years ago
  • Project End Date
    4/30/2025 - 10 months from now
  • Program Officer Name
    MACKIEWICZ, MIROSLAW
  • Budget Start Date
    8/1/2020 - 3 years ago
  • Budget End Date
    4/30/2021 - 3 years ago
  • Fiscal Year
    2020
  • Support Year
    01
  • Suffix
  • Award Notice Date
    7/31/2020 - 3 years ago
Organizations

Role of periodontal bacteria-derived dihydroceramides in Alzheimer's disease

ABSTRACT This is an Independent Scientist Award (K02) application to the National Institute on Aging (NIA) from Dr. Alexandru Movila, Ph.D. who is an earlier stage investigator. Dr. Movila is an Assistant Professor in his third year appointment in the Department of Periodontology at Nova Southeastern University (NSU). Throughout his faculty career, Dr. Movila has established a strong publication record as an independent investigator in the field of oral inflammation induced by oral pathogens. His research is currently supported by R01AG064003, R03DE027153, and R15DE28699 grants addressing molecular mechanisms of ceramide lipids-induced periodontitis in relation to aging. Because the emerging evidence indicates that virulence factors secreted by periodontal pathogens may be engaged in initiation and/or progression of Alzheimer?s disease, the scientific goal of Dr. Movila is to establish a foundation of research for elucidation of pathogenic engagement of periodontal disease in the onset and progression of Alzheimer?s disease. Further, Dr. Movila?s long-term career goal is to become a leading basic research scientist in the field of aging and Alzheimer?s disease research. Currently, the PI has very limited experience in the pathophysiology of age-dependent neurodegenerative disease, including Alzheimer?s disease. However, due to the current workload at NSU that involve teaching and research mentoring of undergraduate and graduate dental students, he can only allocate a limited time for the research on Alzheimer?s disease associated with periodontitis. Thus, this career development KO2 award would provide the protected time to gain expertise in a new field of research. Based on his existing expertise in the oral pathogenesis and preliminary results, Dr. Movila hypothesized that ceramide lipid produced by the key periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingvalis, is engaged in Alzheimer?s disease pathogenesis via elevation of the hyper-phosphorylation of tau and amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein. The primary career development goals of this K02 application are: 1) to identify the possible pathogenic factors produced by periodontal pathogens that promotes progression of the Alzheimer?s disease pathology, 2) to receive hands-on training to learn the pre-clinical experimental mouse models of Alzheimer?s disease, 3) to establish academic collaborations with distinguished researchers in the fields; and 4) to build up academic credential in the Alzheimer disease research. The proposed career development training and research studies will help to Dr. Movila not only improving his knowledge and skill to study Alzheimer?s disease, but also increasing the network for collaborations and reputation in the field.

IC Name
NATIONAL INSTITUTE ON AGING
  • Activity
    K02
  • Administering IC
    AG
  • Application Type
    1
  • Direct Cost Amount
    126357
  • Indirect Cost Amount
    10109
  • Total Cost
    136466
  • Sub Project Total Cost
  • ARRA Funded
    False
  • CFDA Code
    866
  • Ed Inst. Type
    SCHOOLS OF DENTISTRY/ORAL HYGN
  • Funding ICs
    NIA:136466\
  • Funding Mechanism
    OTHER RESEARCH-RELATED
  • Study Section
    NIA
  • Study Section Name
    Neuroscience of Aging Review Committee
  • Organization Name
    NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY
  • Organization Department
    NONE
  • Organization DUNS
    002971240
  • Organization City
    Fort Lauderdale
  • Organization State
    FL
  • Organization Country
    UNITED STATES
  • Organization Zip Code
    333147796
  • Organization District
    UNITED STATES