NIDCR Digital Library

Researchers have discovered a new genetic disorder named LINKED. Compared to a disease-free individual (shown above), differentiated LINKED patient cells lack markers of normal development of the brain, spinal cord and craniofacial skeleton (pink, green, & yellow). 

NIDCR scientists Rei Sekiguchi, DDS, PhD, Ken Yamada, PhD, and colleagues found striking differences in muscle- and nerve-related gene activity, or expression, in embryonic mouse submandibular glands (above left) and parotid glands (above right). 

By detecting different visual patterns in tumor images, the deep learning program accurately predicted the presence or absence of molecular alterations, such as the mutated AMER1 gene, which is present in the gastric tumor images on the left but not the right.

Salivary gland spheroids in hydrogels release amylase, an enzyme found in saliva, upon stimulation with neurotransmitters agonists.

Cancerous melanoma cells, shown with their cell bodies (green) and nuclei (blue), are nestled in tiny hollow lumens (tubes) within the cryogel (red) structure.

Scanning electron micrograph of mesenchymal stem cells cultured in an alginate hydrogel. The colors show the elemental composition of the sample: magenta represents phosphorus from the minerals deposited by the differentiated cells, and blue represents carbon from the hydrogel.

A single-bud submandibular salivary gland from a mouse embryo. The image shows epithelial cell-cell junctions (blue-green) and O-glycosylated proteins (red).

Cave-dwelling fish demonstrate frequent fragmentation of facial dermal bones. One bone is labeled beneath the eye (light blue). Cellular interactions between sensory neuromasts (labeled as orange “dots”) and the bone primordia are providing clues for scientists to understand why.

A face appears when basement membrane patterns collagen IV (green) are studied in human parotid tissue where cell nuclei (white) and filamentous actin (blue) highlight the ducts and blood vessels. 

hS/PCs form three-dimensional multicellular structures (nuclei in blue) that dynamically organize and mature into coordinated units that respond to neurotransmitters (filamentous actin in green). Organization of these cells into functional secretory units is a critical for dry mouth.