Representation of Populations in Human Oral Microbiome Research
Location
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Start
2-14-2025 2:45 PM
End
2-14-2025 3:00 PM
Type of Presentation
Oral Presentation
Abstract
Since the inception of the Human Microbiome Project initiative in 2007, the field of exploratory and medical based research around the microbes found within and on humans has piqued interdisciplinary interest. The oral microbiome specifically has been of particular focus to those within the dental community as it has been linked to pathogenic health states including caries, periodontitis, and oral cancers. With this interest in mind, the field of oral microbiome research has continued to expand, with over 1700 manuscripts published in 2024 according to a PubMed search. However, even to this day, the discipline still suffers from a lack of global representation with most sampling methodologies centering around white individuals of European descent. Here is highlighted some of the seminal oral microbiome work from underrepresented groups within United States and abroad, thus addressing benefits, pitfalls, and future directions. The hope is to address gaps and oversights within the field of oral microbiome research in order to promote ongoing community based participatory projects that are inclusive to all participants regardless of ethnicity, orientation, and geography.
Representation of Populations in Human Oral Microbiome Research
HCAS Guy Harvey Oceanographic Center, Nova Southeastern University
Since the inception of the Human Microbiome Project initiative in 2007, the field of exploratory and medical based research around the microbes found within and on humans has piqued interdisciplinary interest. The oral microbiome specifically has been of particular focus to those within the dental community as it has been linked to pathogenic health states including caries, periodontitis, and oral cancers. With this interest in mind, the field of oral microbiome research has continued to expand, with over 1700 manuscripts published in 2024 according to a PubMed search. However, even to this day, the discipline still suffers from a lack of global representation with most sampling methodologies centering around white individuals of European descent. Here is highlighted some of the seminal oral microbiome work from underrepresented groups within United States and abroad, thus addressing benefits, pitfalls, and future directions. The hope is to address gaps and oversights within the field of oral microbiome research in order to promote ongoing community based participatory projects that are inclusive to all participants regardless of ethnicity, orientation, and geography.