10171338Demonstration of destruction of pathogenic P. gingivalis whilst preserving beneficial oral bacteria - to enable a product for better oral health and protection of body healthClosedFast Start ResponseInnovate UKOver 65% of adults with teeth in Europe have severe gum disease (known as periodontitis). It is the main cause of tooth loss and it raises the inflammation level in the body, increasing the risk of getting chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis and chronic kidney disease, and worsening symptoms. The common oral bacterium, _Porphyromonas gingivalis_, is considered to be the key contributing bacterium driving periodontitis. It inhibits the body's immune system in the mouth enabling other bacteria to thrive, whilst increasing inflammation and bleeding, giving it access to the bloodstream and hence the body where it has harmful effects. Sysora Health Limited (Sysora) is developing a targeted antibacterial gel to destroy _P. gingivalis_ whilst preserving beneficial bacteria in the oral microbiome. The health benefits of a microbiome with a better balance of "good" bacteria are increasingly evident. Some beneficial oral bacteria help to lower blood pressure and fight pathogenic bacteria. Sysora plans to sell the novel, precision-targeted treatment to dentists' patients every six to twelve months via large dental chains. The grant funding will enable Sysora to demonstrate destruction of pathogenic _P. gingivalis_ whilst preserving beneficial oral bacteria, assisting with de-risking an innovative Synthetic Biology approach for a product providing better oral health and protection of body health. The imaging and bacterial test data generated will be used to attract equity funding to enable commercialisation of the product.