SMILES

The main scientific objective of SMILES is to identify, characterise and exploit the antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) produced by Streptococcus dentisani and select cocktails with biomedical applications in the treatment of caries and periodontitis. S. dentisani is a probiotic bacterium that produces AMPs and is found naturally in individuals free of oral diseases, maintaining the balance for a healthy oral microbiota. Caries and periodontitis are two oral diseases derived from microbial dysbiosis. These cocktails could be incorporated in the future as additives in conventional oral hygiene products (e.g., toothpastes) as preventive agents for oral diseases accessible to the public regardless of their financial resources. This action will train and prepare Dr Revilla-Guarinos to set up her own group in academia or, alternatively, to develop a new career in industry, working at the forefront of applied microbiology in Europe.