The first five conferences, which have been held on two-year cycles, have brought together experienced salivary researchers with experts and promising young investigators in associated fields. The early conferences had a balanced emphasis on salivary glands and the secretory components of saliva, whereas the 5th conference had increased input and participation from beyond the immediate field by selecting areas of emphasis that were less salivary gland specific but of broader common interest. We envision that the conference will encourage experienced salivary researchers to form collaborations with investigators in complementary fields, including basic, translational and clinical researchers. The era of isolated laboratories taking full advantage of technological and scientific breakthroughs has become unrealistic. Ground breaking discoveries and advances in developing new therapies for treating salivary gland dysfunction require an interdisciplinary, multi-center approach by:

1. Discussion of the current status of exocrine gland research and the evolving questions and other exocrinal glands
2. Hear cutting-edge presentations on a variety of research projects relevant to salivary gland research
3. Discussion of emerging fields and future areas of research emphasis
4. Encourage new investigators to enter the salivary gland field and other exocrinal glands
5. Promote interactions/networking between experienced exocrine biologists and new investigators in complementary fields
6. Initiate collaborations between basic, translational and clinical researchers

The topics include molecular mechanisms underlying salivary gland development and apoptosis, Lachrymal Gland, Dry Eye, and Sjögren's Syndrome, development of salivary stem cells and proteomic approaches on salivary secretion, molecular mechanisms of secretory granule biogenesis and acinar cell secretion, salivary gland signaling and gene regulation, signalplexes and platforms in epithelia, salivary cell death and adaptive responses and transport process in epithelial cells.