Dr Yinghong Zhou, Senior Lecturer at The University of Queensland, is addressing the widespread and often underestimated problem of gum disease, or periodontitis. Affecting one in four Australians, it is the leading cause of tooth loss and is also linked to serious conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Periodontitis begins when bacteria trigger chronic gum inflammation that destroys the tissues and bone supporting teeth, and once this damage occurs, natural healing is difficult.
Drawing on her expertise in clinical dentistry and biomedical engineering, Dr Zhou is pioneering smarter treatments that target harmful inflammation. She is developing tiny “tissue building blocks” that sense inflammatory signals and release anti-inflammatory agents in response. This innovative approach not only suppresses destructive immune responses but also promotes natural tissue repair.
Her work has the potential to halt the progression of gum disease, restore oral health, and improve patients’ quality of life. Beyond dentistry, her research could also help reduce the burden of inflammatory diseases across the broader healthcare system.