Abstract
The oral microbiome plays a critical role in health and disease, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying its contributions to oral diseases remain poorly understood. This gap represents a key challenge in microbiome research, a focus area of Dr. Zeng’s BioComs lab at the University of Iowa. The lab aims to decode the intricate molecular interactions within microbial communities to better understand their role in oral health. To convey the significance of this research to a broader audience, we employ a science communication approach through a visually engaging comic.
This comic is an innovative tool to translate complex microbiome research into an accessible format, targeting non-specialist audiences. Combining scientific accuracy with compelling visual storytelling highlights the importance of ongoing efforts to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the oral microbiome. This approach underscores the potential of creative communication strategies to bridge the gap between the scientific community and the public, fostering broader awareness and appreciation of microbiome research and its implications for human health.
Keywords
Microbiome, Comic, BioComs Lab, CSTS, NSPN, Research at UIowa, mechanism, cavities
How to Cite
Rajaram, S., Singh, P. & Zeng, E., (2025) “The chaos in our mouth: Microbial wars”, Synthesis: A Digital Journal of Student Science Communication 6(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.17077/2643-8410.33874
Funding
- Name
- This work is part of "Research at UIowa: A Comic Series" organized by the University of Iowa student organization Connecting Science to Society. It is funded by the National Science Policy Network as part of a chapter development microgrant.
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