From Development to Disease and Beyond

The ninth Salivary Gland and Exocrine Biology Gordon Research Conference will continue the tradition of pioneering multi-disciplinary conferences. It will serve as a forum for presentations of novel, cutting-edge unpublished discoveries in the area of exocrine tissue biology. The forthcoming conference will bring together outstanding basic, translational and clinical investigators working in salivary, lacrimal, pancreas and lung research. In addition, the conference will serve as a venue to display and promote work of promising young scientists through oral presentations and poster exhibits. By serving as a platform for highlighting advances in diverse areas of exocrine biology and exocrine disease research, the conference will align and focus scientific advances to reveal new directions in the areas of development, homeostasis and disease. The conference will also showcase the latest advances in the identification of biomarkers and therapeutics for salivary and other exocrine dysfunctions.

The scientific program will focus on the latest findings in salivary, pancreas and lung biology and disease, including development (e.g. lineage tracing, expression landscapes), mechanotransduction, cell adhesion, polarity and signaling networks, exocytosis and secretion, and physiological control of ion and water transport. The meeting will also devote a large number of sessions to salivary gland dysfunction, including salivary exocrinopathies, such as Sjogren’s syndrome, inflammation, fibrosis and cancer. Lastly, topics related to salivary gland repair and regeneration with a focus on stem cell niches, nanobiotechnology and engineering, including network modeling, will be included. By showcasing innovative science, the conference will facilitate exchanges of ideas and future collaborations among researchers from diverse disciplines.