The Microbiome of Saliva
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Use of saliva in the study of host-microbiome interactions
IRAS ID
207795
Contact name
Gordon Proctor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Vice President (Research and Innovation) King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
6 years, 11 months, 30 days
Research summary
Saliva is formed from contributions of the salivary glands and serum exudates principally from the gingival margins or damaged mucosa and components derived from the environment including a community of microorganisms - the microbiome. Similarly, the gut has a microbiome and this can be assessed by analysing samples of faeces. Various oral and systemic diseases are associated with disturbances in the gut and oral microbiomes. This study aims to examine how the salivary microbiome differs in a range of subjects with and without oral and systemic diseases in order to determine its utility as a biomarker of disease. Secondly the study will determine how the composition of the gut microbiome is influenced by that of the oral (salivary+plaque) microbiome. The study will utilize new methods which allow the composition of microbiomes to be examined in great depth, determine the types and functions of microorganisms in saliva, dental plaque and faeces.
REC name
London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/LO/0898
Date of REC Opinion
2 Jun 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion