# Engineering Mucin Analogues to Benefit the Mouth Environment

> **NIH NIH R56** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO · 2024 · $491,193

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY.
While artificial saliva products are available in the market, they need to replicate natural saliva's
essential protective roles in maintaining a healthy oral environment. One of the primary reasons saliva
is so beneficial is the presence of mucins, a densely glycosylated protein found in this biological fluid.
Mucins in saliva serve multiple purposes: they provide lubrication during chewing and swallowing,
create a protective shield against harmful acids from food and microbes, and play a pivotal role in
maintaining the balance of the oral microbiome. However, mucins' intricate structures and functions
still need to be fully understood. Factors such as the length of the mucin backbone, the repetitive
nature of its peptide subunits, the specific types of glycan side chains attached, the density of its
glycosylation, and the extent of its crosslinking all potentially influence the role of mucins in saliva.
Given the pressing need for more effective artificial saliva – ideally containing mucin analogs – this
project aims to create advanced mucin substitutes. This will be achieved through a cycle of informed
synthesis based on testing results. The ultimate vision is to custom-design and produce artificial
mucins that closely emulate the physiological functions of their natural counterparts found in human
saliva. To achieve this, the project has set specific objectives: (1) Craft artificial mucins that mirror the
physicochemical properties of natural salivary mucins, (2) design these mucins to offer protection
against tooth demineralization, and (3) fine-tune the glycosylation patterns of these artificial mucins to
ensure they interact optimally with the oral microbiome. The anticipated outcomes of this endeavor
are manifold. Firstly, by incorporating these tailor-made mucin analogs into enhanced artificial saliva
formulations, we can offer relief to patients afflicted with dry mouth disease. Furthermore, the insights
garnered from this research can pave the way for designing artificial mucins suitable for other mucosal
areas impacted by dryness. Lastly, these mucin-inspired therapeutics could serve as targeted
modulators or scavenger molecules, intervening with microbial colonization in the human mouth and
ensuring a healthy oral environment.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 11087237
- **Project number:** 1R56DE034153-01
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
- **Principal Investigator:** Kamil Godula
- **Activity code:** R56 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $491,193
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2024-09-01 → 2025-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/11087237

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 11087237, Engineering Mucin Analogues to Benefit the Mouth Environment (1R56DE034153-01). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/11087237. Licensed CC0.

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