# Combining Bacteriophage-Mediated Decolonization with Microbial Engraftment to Foster Sustained Supragingival Microbiome Modulation for Enhanced Anti-Cariogenic Therapy

> **NIH NIH R43** · VULCAN BIOLOGICS, INC. · 2021 · $10,976

## Abstract

Vulcan Biologics plans to harness the power of synthetic biology to enable persistent and stable
modulation of the oral microbiome for the prevention of dental caries. Caries are characterized by
the acidification and degradation of tooth enamel when dietary sugars come into contact with
dental biofilms (plaque). Affecting an estimated 42% of children, 59% of adolescents, and 92% of
adults in the U.S., dental caries is the most prevalent chronic disease in humans. Caries can be
accompanied by serious comorbidities and complications, including pain, abscesses, dental
sepsis, and even death. Caries contribute to diminished quality of life and account for an estimated
$5.4 billion in lost productivity each year. Despite U.S. spending in excess of $124 billion each
year, current methods to prevent caries, including brushing/flossing and fluoride applications,
have done little to reduce the overall prevalence of caries in the population in the last decade.
Thus, more effective measures to prevent dental caries remain a critical unmet need.
The last two decades have brought an increasing awareness of the role of the oral microbiome in
dental caries pathogenesis, revealing that caries development and progression are accompanied
by changes in the proportions of particular bacterial species. Streptococcus mutans is a naturally
occurring member of the oral microbiota and the principal etiological agent of dental decay in
humans. While a few small molecules capable of selectively killing S. mutans have been
identified, their effects are likely to be short-lived. As an alternative, Vulcan Biologics proposes a
tripartite approach for the persistent and stable reprogramming of the oral microbiome to reduce
or eliminate the prevalence of S. mutans. This approach is based on combining the application of
bacteriophages— —with
viruses that exclusively target bacteria but do not affect eukaryotic cells
selected bacteria that should provide a probiotic effect and nutrients (prebiotics) that are specific
to the protective probiotic bacteria. In detail, this three-pronged, combined-arms approach
involves: i) the use of virulent bacteriophages to target the specific niche within the oral
microbiome that should be decolonized for the target, in this case S. mutans, ii) administration of
an engineered or evolved replacement protective probiotic, e.g. Lactobacillus spp., to be
engrafted into the oral niche, and iii) provisioning of a prebiotic or combination of prebiotics that
uniquely benefit the colonizing strains to promote adherence and long-term engraftment. This
decolonization/recolonization (Decon-Recon) strategy has the potential to succeed where
previous attempts to modulate the microbiome have failed: overcoming the resistance of
established microbial communities to the permanent engraftment of newcomers.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10307172
- **Project number:** 3R43DE030028-01S1
- **Recipient organization:** VULCAN BIOLOGICS, INC.
- **Principal Investigator:** Michael Sandor Koeris
- **Activity code:** R43 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $10,976
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2021-01-15 → 2021-09-15

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10307172

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10307172, Combining Bacteriophage-Mediated Decolonization with Microbial Engraftment to Foster Sustained Supragingival Microbiome Modulation for Enhanced Anti-Cariogenic Therapy (3R43DE030028-01S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10307172. Licensed CC0.

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