Sharma Lab

Ashu Sharma, PhD, is a well‑recognized researcher in the molecular pathogenesis of periodontal disease, with extensive focus on the biology, virulence, and host interactions of oral pathogens implicated in the disease. He is particularly recognized for elucidating the mechanisms by which a bacterial triad, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, and Treponema denticola- collectively known as the “red-complex” – form the dental plaque and induce immune responses that collaterally damage the gums and tooth-supporting bone. A major focus of Dr. Sharma’s recent research has been Tannerella forsythia, where his discoveries have significantly advanced understanding of how the bacterium’s ability to harvest host‑ and diet‑derived glycans, recycle peptidoglycan fragments, and modulate host immunity might impact periodontal disease pathogenesis. Over the past three decades, Dr. Sharma has maintained continuous federal funding from the National Institutes of Health through multiple R-grants, demonstrating the sustained impact and innovation of his research program.  He serves on numerous national and international grant‑funding agency panels and recently completed a four‑year term as a standing member of an NIH study section panel.  His achievements have been recognized by the University at Buffalo through the Exceptional Scholar/Teaching Innovation Award.

Our lab is focused on pathogenic strategies of periodontal bacteria, investigating how periodontal pathogens undermine host innate immunity.

• Rajendra P. Settem, PhD, research scientist
• Sreedevi Chinthamani, PhD, research scientist
• Carol Parker, TBN technician
• Nusrat Tarranum, master's student
• Noam Ernan, undergraduate student
• Isabella, undergraduate student
• Janvi Sujith, undergraduate student
• Nicole Kresnov, undergraduate student

1. Bacterial sialometabolic activity of red-complex pathogens and its impact on periodontal immunity and microbial dysbiosis. This project investigates how periodontal pathogens use sialidase enzymes to target the host sialoglycome at the host–pathogen interface during periodontitis. The work aims to define how sialidase activity reshapes host immune responses and alters the composition and function of the oral microbiome during infection.
2. Mechanism of peptidoglycan recycling in Tannerella forsythia. This project explores how the oral pathogen T. forsythia, which is auxotrophic for the peptidoglycan (cell-wall) amino sugar N-acetylmuramic acid (MurNAc), scavenges peptidoglycan fragments from cohabiting oral bacteria to build its own cell wall. The goal is to dissect the molecular pathways that enable this organism to remodel its peptidoglycan and thrive within the oral cavity.

Location: 647 Biomedical Research Building