Microbiome in oral health and disease MOZIB
Project Summary
Four-year scientific research project
School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb
Duration: 2026–2029
About the Project
The project Microbiome in Oral Health and Disease (MOZIB) focuses on investigating the composition, dynamics, and clinical significance of the oral microbiome in both physiological and pathological conditions. The oral cavity represents a complex microbial ecosystem, and its imbalance (dysbiosis) plays a key role in the onset and progression of numerous oral and systemic diseases.
Special emphasis is placed on patients with xerostomia, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, oral potentially malignant disorders, and patients undergoing oncological therapies. The project aims to improve the understanding of microbiome alterations across different clinical conditions and to identify potential biomarkers of dysbiosis with diagnostic and therapeutic relevance.
Objectives
Main objective:
To investigate the diversity, structure, and dynamics of the oral microbiome in healthy individuals and various patient groups.
Specific objectives:
- to compare the oral microbiome across different biological samples (saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, oral epithelium)
- to monitor longitudinal changes in the microbiome
- to identify dysbiotic patterns associated with oral and systemic diseases
- to develop a reference database of the oral microbiome
Methodology
The project is designed as a prospective longitudinal study including multiple clinical groups: healthy individuals, patients with xerostomia, diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, oral potentially malignant disorders, and oncology patients with oral mucositis.
Samples of saliva, gingival crevicular fluid, and oral epithelium will be collected at multiple time points and analyzed using advanced molecular microbiology and bioinformatics methods, including 16S rRNA sequencing.
Expected Results and Impact
The expected outcomes of the project include:
- comprehensive analysis of oral microbiome dynamics in health and disease
- identification of novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers
- development of a digital oral microbiome database
- contribution to personalized oral medicine and prevention strategies
- publication of scientific papers in international journals
Publications and Dissemination
Project results will be disseminated through:
- scientific publications
- conference presentations
- educational and professional activities
Publications Derived from the Project Links
Project in CRORIS database: https://www.croris.hr/projekti/projekt/16553
Project Team
Principal Investigator:
Associate Professor Danica Vidović Juras, DMD, PhD
Research Team (SFZG):
Prof. Vlaho Brailo, DMD, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Ana Andabak Rogulj, DMD, PhD
Assoc. Prof. Božana Lončar Brzak, DMD, PhD
Assist. Prof. Ivana Škrinjar, DMD, PhD
Bruno Špiljak, DMD
Prof. Arjana Tambić Andrašević, MD, PhD
Prim. Iva Butić, MD, PhD
Prof. Željko Verzak, DMD, PhD
Assist. Prof. Marin Lozić, MD, PhD
External Collaborators:
Assist. Prof. Petar Ozretić, PhD (Ruđer Bošković Institute)
Marko Jelić, PhD (University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”)
Josip Ujević, MSc (University Hospital for Infectious Diseases “Dr. Fran Mihaljević”)
Funding
This research was funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU through the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NPOO), within the project “Microbiome in Oral Health and Disease (MOZIB)”.
Project duration: 48 months.
Contact
Associate Professor Danica Vidović Juras, DMD, PhD
Department of Oral Medicine
School of Dental Medicine, University of Zagreb
E-mail: dvjuras@outlook.com | djuras@sfzg.hr
