Salivary Biology & Oral Immunology Program
Overview
The Salivary Biology and Oral Immunology Program encourages basic and translational research on saliva and salivary gland biology, as well as immune aspects of dry mouth and oral diseases such as oral lesions and periodontal diseases. Mechanistic understanding of oral diseases sequelae in the context of systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, pulmonary and autoimmune disorders are also of interest. The program encourages research in the following areas:
Salivary Biology
- Sjögren’s disease and salivary gland dysfunction
- Age-related, disease-related, drug-induced, and radiation-induced changes in salivary gland function
- Salivary gland morphogenesis and structure, and control of salivary gland function
- Salivary gland as a molecular portal for detecting and improving systemic health
- Salivary biomarkers, diagnostics, and oral health surveillance
- Pharmacogenetics of drug-induced xerostomia
- Systems approach to salivary and exocrine gland biology and salivary molecules
Oral Immunology
- Oral immunity and chronic inflammation in the context of overall health
- Immunology of host-pathogen recognition and barrier immunity of the mouth
- Immune responses of biofilms to antimicrobial agents and biomaterials
- Immunological prevention and treatment of microbial biofilm-associated oral diseases
- Antimicrobial and protective factors in saliva and on the oral mucosa, and related vaccination strategies
- Host genetic determinants and the biological basis of susceptibility to infection and resolution of inflammation
- Approaches to suppress destructive immune responses associated with host inflammatory reactions
Related Resources
Staff Contact
Acting Branch Chief
Translational Genomics Research Branch
Program Officer
Salivary Biology & Immunology Program