Grant Success - 2026 Early Career Research Grant

Bidirectional associations between subgingival microbiome and COPD in adults

Dr Diego Lopez Peralta

Congratulations to Dr Diego Lopez Peralta on being awarded a University of Melbourne 2026 Early Career Researcher Grant.

About the project: Periodontitis and COPD are chronic conditions that increase with age and share common risk factors. Periodontal pathogens may worsen lung health through aspiration, systemic spread, and inflammation, while COPD medications can reduce salivary flow, reducing protecting factors and promoting periodontitis. These interactions may accelerate both lung function decline and periodontal tissue damage. Periodontitis is preventable and treatable, prospective studies are needed to better understand its role in COPD progression.