# Feres Laboratory # Feres Laboratory The Feres Lab explores the oral microbiome as a window into systemic health—from periodontitis to cancer. Integrating decades of clinical microbiology with advanced multiomics and machine learning, the lab investigates how imbalances in the oral ecosystem contribute to both local and systemic disease and then translates those insights into improved diagnostics, therapies, and prevention strategies. ![group photo](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_3__1540x1160/public/2025-05/Feres.jpg?itok=zH_xBtQe) ## Research focus ### From the mouth to the rest of the body The mouth is far more than a dental organ. It is one of the most microbially dense environments in the human body, biologically connected to the gut, the immune system, and distant tissues. Disruptions in the oral microbiome are linked not only to periodontitis and tooth loss, but increasingly to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer. The Feres Lab is at the forefront of uncovering these connections. Our work spans the clinical microbiology of periodontal disease to the emerging biology of the oral–gut–cancer axis, integrating large-scale microbiome datasets, advanced sequencing, and artificial intelligence to address questions with direct clinical relevance. Our long-term vision is to translate these discoveries into clinically actionable tools—from microbiome-based risk models to simple, noninvasive tests for early disease detection—bringing the promise of precision prevention to patients across oral and systemic health. ![lab team](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/2025-05/Feres%20-600px.jpg) The Feres Lab team ## Research areas ### Periodontitis: Microbiology, treatment, and systemic connections expand\_more Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting nearly half of adults worldwide and a leading cause of tooth loss. It is increasingly linked to systemic conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers. ### What we do #### Clinical trials and therapeutic innovation We conduct randomized clinical trials evaluating adjunctive therapies—including systemic antibiotics, immunomodulators, probiotics, and novel local drug delivery systems—with a focus on how treatment reshapes the subgingival microbiome and systemic inflammation. ##### Current and recent work - Fermiano D, de Souza Oliveira E, Mestnik MJ, et al. Does timing of systemic antibiotics influence periodontal treatment outcomes? A randomized clinical trial. *Journal of Periodontology.* Published online February 7, 2026. - Feres M, Retamal-Valdes B, Mestnik MJ, et al. The ideal time of systemic metronidazole and amoxicillin administration in the treatment of severe periodontitis: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. *Trials.* 2018. #### Innovation ##### Targeted drug delivery In collaboration with the Mitragotri Lab at the Wyss Institute, we are developing nanoparticle-based platforms for targeted biofilm disruption and controlled subgingival drug release while minimizing systemic exposure. ### Oral–gut microbiome axis and cancer expand\_more We investigate how oral pathogens contribute to colorectal, esophageal-gastric, and head and neck cancers through the oral–gut microbiome axis. ### What we do #### Translational microbiome research at scale In collaboration with Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Albert Einstein Hospital (São Paulo), we analyze large-scale, multi-site datasets to understand disease mechanisms and progression. - 10,000+ curated oral biofilm samples - Matched oral, stool, and tumor samples from colorectal cancer patients ### Focus #### Predictive modeling across the oral–gut axis We are developing microbiome foundation models to predict disease risk, progression, and treatment response. ### Artificial intelligence and predictive modeling expand\_more We apply artificial intelligence to translate complex biological data into clinically actionable insights. ### What we do #### AI-driven prediction and diagnostics - Predictive modeling of periodontal treatment outcomes - Computer vision for periodontal stability assessment - Microbiome-based disease prediction models #### Recent work Feher B, de Souza Oliveira EH, Duarte PM, et al. Machine learning-assisted prediction of clinical responses to periodontal treatment. *Journal of Periodontology.* 2025. Feher B, Werdich AA, Chen CY, et al. Estimating periodontal stability using computer vision. *J Dent Res.* 2025. #### Innovation - **AI for dental training:** We are developing simulation tools for dental education (Dean’s Innovation Award, Harvard Medical School). - **Collaboration:** Work is conducted in partnership with the Feher Lab and the HMS Department of Biomedical Informatics. See also:- [ Research Labs ](/page-categories/research-labs) ## In the news [### Research shows that the timing of antibiotics matters when treating gum disease ](/news/2026/03/research-shows-timing-antibiotics-matters-when-treating-gum-disease) March 23, 2026 A first-of-its-kind clinical trial shows that administering antibiotics before periodontal treatment may better stabilize beneficial bacteria and support long-term oral health ![cropped image of a person holding a presciption vial with pills and the other hand is opened](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2026-03/antibiotic-header.jpg?itok=B1D13_R_) [### Exploring how AI can enhance dental education ](/news/exploring-how-ai-can-enhance-dental-education) March 12, 2024 Artificial intelligence applications and tools for dentistry emerging in the marketplace today have, for the most part, been designed for use in dental practices and by dentists in the field. However, AI tools designed for learning dentistry are an area... ![ai-thumbnail.jpg](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/ai-thumbnail.jpg?itok=cBmErPFy) [### Dr. Magda Feres appointed as chair of HSDM’s Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity ](/news/dr-magda-feres-appointed-chair-hsdm%E2%80%99s-department-oral-medicine-infection-and-immunity) December 16, 2022 Dr. Magda Feres, an internationally-recognized scholar who currently serves as dean for Dental Research and Graduate Education and chair of the advanced Graduate Program in Dentistry at Guarulhos University in Brazil, has been named to lead Harvard School... ![Dr. Magda Feres](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/dental/files/feres_headshot.jpg?itok=LFvOulJE) [### HSDM and University of São Paulo Schools of Dentistry strengthen research ties ](/news/2025/02/hsdm-and-university-sao-paulo-schools-dentistry-strengthen-research-ties) February 19, 2025 Harvard School of Dental Medicine and the University of São Paulo agree to advance research and student training opportunities in dental medicine and oral science. ![students in white lab coats, wearing masks. One student is warming a sample over a Bunsen burner](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_16_9__480x270/public/2025-02/Brazil-partnership-thumbnail.png?itok=pM187tzF) arrow\_back arrow\_forward ### Principal investigator [### Magda Feres ](/people/magda-feres) [Magda\_Feres@hsdm.harvard.edu](mailto:Magda_Feres@hsdm.harvard.edu)Chair of the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity Dr. Magda Feres is an internationally recognized scholar in periodontology and currently serves as chair of the Department of Oral Medicine, Infection, and Immunity (OMII) at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM). ![Dr. Magda Feres](/sites/g/files/omnuum6001/files/styles/hwp_4_5__690x865/public/dental/files/feres_headshot.jpg?itok=ixEgP6Rf)