Personal profile
Research interests
Melissa Grant’s research centres the protein players associated with oral disease. She is interested in exploring novel panels of biomarkers to detect chronic inflammatory disease, such as periodontitis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, chronic kidney disease and lung disease; the structure and function of proteins in the mouth and in circulation under these various conditions; the detection of these proteins by point of care tests; and the production of these proteins in cell models are of particular interest.
Current PhD students are examining novel ways to detect protein biomarkers in saliva, discovery of biomarkers for oral blisters from different diseases, blister fluid composition from patients with epidemolysis bullosa and biomarkers for heart health in captive great apes.
Education/Academic qualification
Doctor of Philosophy, Biosciences, The University of Birmingham
Award Date: 12 Jul 2001
Bachelor of Science, Biochemistry, The University of Birmingham
Award Date: 8 Jul 1997
Keywords
- RK Dentistry
- QH301 Biology
- QR180 Immunology
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Differential antimicrobial activity of two LL37 derivatives against periodontal bacteria, including enhanced efficacy against P. gingivalis in the presence of cigarette smoke
Keshavarz, S., Hirschfeld, J. & Grant, M. M., 28 Apr 2026, In: Frontiers in Microbiology. 17, 19 p., 1804908.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Discovery of novel biomarkers associated with myocardial fibrosis in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes)
Jarvis, R., Baiker, K., Moittie, S., Dobbs, P., White, K., Liptovszky, M. & Grant, M. M., 20 Apr 2026, (Accepted/In press) In: Frontiers In Veterinary Science.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open Access -
Dysbiosis-Mediated Inflammation: A Pathophysiological Link Between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Periodontitis
Lopez-Oliva, I., Chapple, I., Paropkari, A., Saraswat, S., Sharma, P., Serban, S., De Pablo, P., Raza, K., Filer, A., Dietrich, T., Grant, M. & Kumar, P. S., Mar 2026, In: Journal of Clinical Periodontology. 53, 3, p. 466-477 12 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile17 Downloads (Pure) -
Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial evaluation of morin
Solera Sales, L., Hewitt, B., Muchová, M., Lourenção Brighenti, F., Kuehne, S. A., Grant, M. M. & Milward, M. R., Oct 2025, In: Archives of Oral Biology. 178, 12 p., 106343.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile39 Downloads (Pure) -
Biological Definition of Periodontal Diseases: A Historical Review of Host-Response Diagnostics and Their Implications for Disease Classification
Bostanci, N., Grant, M. & Kebschull, M., 12 Sept 2025, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Periodontology 2000.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Downloads (Pure)
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AMYLO-STOP Pilot RCT (Start up costs)
Dietrich, T. (Researcher), Sharma, P. (Principal Investigator), Chapple, I. (Researcher) & Grant, M. (Researcher)
1/12/25 → 31/05/26
Project: Research
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An antimicrobial peptide (AMP)-containing mouthrinse for post-operative use for periodontitis patients
Grant, M. (Principal Investigator)
THE ORAL & DENTAL RESEARCH TRUST
1/11/25 → 31/10/28
Project: Research
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A randomised, controlled, examiner blind study to evaluate the effect of a sodium bicarbonate toothpaste on the oral microbiome
Chapple, I. (Co-Investigator), Grant, M. (Co-Investigator), Sharma, P. (Principal Investigator) & Milward, M. (Co-Investigator)
1/09/25 → 31/01/31
Project: Industry
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Shield: Strategies for Healing Implant-associated infections and Enhancing Longevity in Devices
Grant, M. (Principal Investigator)
1/09/25 → 31/08/29
Project: EU
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A randomised, controlled, examiner blind study to evaluate the effect of a sodium bicarbonate toothpaste on the oral microbiome (start-up costs)
Chapple, I. (Co-Investigator), Milward, M. (Co-Investigator), Sharma, P. (Principal Investigator) & Grant, M. (Co-Investigator)
1/06/25 → 31/05/26
Project: Industry
Datasets
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Protein biomarkers for periodontitis
Grant, M. (Creator) & Chapple, I. (Creator), University of Birmingham, 15 Jun 2021
DOI: 10.25500/edata.bham.00000684
Dataset
Activities
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Periodontal pathogenesis
Grant, M. (Chair)
15 Mar 2024Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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Detection of periodontitis in patients with a systemic inflammatory disease disease by saliva biomarkers
Grant, M. (Advisor)
14 Mar 2024Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Conference, workshop or symposium
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Aerobiome of Denver: An art-science bioprospecting expedition
Grant, M. (Invited speaker)
6 Mar 2024 → 13 Mar 2024Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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Exploring periodontal disease phenotypes in neutrophils and oral fluids: the potential of cellular and protein biomarkers
Grant, M. (Invited speaker)
25 Nov 2023Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
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Exploring periodontal disease phenotypes in neutrophils and oral fluids: the potential of cellular and protein biomarkers
Grant, M. (Invited speaker)
24 Nov 2023Activity: Academic and Industrial events › Guest lecture or Invited talk
Prizes
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Microbiology in Society Award
Grant, M. (Recipient), 1 Jul 2021
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Press/Media
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In spitting distance: saliva research at the University of Birmingham
2/11/17
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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Nearly all of us have gum disease – so let's do something about it
28/05/15
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Press / Media
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