Title Pending 33874

<strong>This is an accepted article with a DOI pre-assigned that is not yet published.</strong> <p style=""><font color="#000000"><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">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.</span></font> <p style=""><span style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">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.</span>