# Molecular and pathogenic study of an oral TM7 strain, the first cultivated ultra-small bacterium

> **NIH NIH R00** · ADA FORSYTH INSTITUTE, INC. · 2021 · $249,000

## Abstract

Project Summary/Abstract
 Increasing our knowledge of the human-associated as-yet-uncultivated bacteria is essential in
understanding their potential role in human diseases. The TM7 phylum is one such group of bacteria.
Despite its ubiquitous presence in the environment and in human body sites as well as its potential
implication in periodontitis, no cultivable representatives of the TM7 phylum have been isolated until very
recently. Furthermore, TM7 belongs to the newly described Candidate Phyla Radiation (CPR) bacteria,
which comprise >15% (>35 phyla) of the entire bacterial domain and lack an isolated representative.
Remarkably, CPR organisms share unique biology that does not exist in the rest of the bacterial domain,
which include but not limited to ultra-small cell size (200-500nm) and reduced genome (<1Mb) that has
highly restricted metabolic capabilities. Our lab isolated the first human oral TM7 species (TM7x) as an
obligate epibiotic parasite that lives on the surface of its host bacterium XH001 (an oral Actinomyces
odontolyticus strain). Using TM7x/XH001 as a model system, this proposal seeks to fulfill three
fundamental knowledge gaps: (1) What are the specific molecular mechanisms that govern the
interaction between TM7x and its host bacteria? (2) Do the same rules and mechanisms apply to all TM7
members? (3) What is the role of TM7 in human mucosal inflammatory diseases? The ultimate goal is to
unravel the secret lifestyle of TM7 and other CPR bacteria, and truly grasp their impact on human
diseases and the environment.
 Dr. Bor has spent his postdoctoral research studies characterizing the physiological and
phenotypic behaviors of TM7x/XH001 interaction and therefore, mechanistic and pathogenic studies of
the TM7 bacteria is a logical extension of his research. The proposed K99/R00 research is designed to
supplement Dr. Bor's prior research experiences and to train him in required technical and intellectual
skills to become an independent investigator. Dr. Bor will be trained at one of the leading research
institutes, UCLA. His primary mentor, Dr. Shi, and co-mentors, Dr. He, Dr. McLean and Dr. Dewhirst are
well-established, capable individuals who are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of dental research.
After the mentored phase of this K99, Dr. Bor's career goal is to become a tenure-track faculty member
at a leading academic research institute, where he can further develop his research program on CPR
bacteria while mentoring and educating students. Dr. Bor's proposed work will provide key insights into
the physiology and pathogenesis of this unique group of host-associated bacteria and may contribute to
the development of novel therapeutic tools for treating periodontitis.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10084875
- **Project number:** 5R00DE027719-04
- **Recipient organization:** ADA FORSYTH INSTITUTE, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Batbileg Bor
- **Activity code:** R00 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $249,000
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-01-13 → 2022-12-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10084875

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10084875, Molecular and pathogenic study of an oral TM7 strain, the first cultivated ultra-small bacterium (5R00DE027719-04). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-21 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10084875. Licensed CC0.

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