This is the seventh conference in a highly successful series which has endeavored to bring together established salivary and exocrine gland investigators, both basic and translational with promising more junior scientists and experts from associated fields. As the preeminent multi-disciplinary conference in the exocrine biology field, the overarching goal is to identify, discuss and prioritize the important future research directions pertinent to understanding the physiology and pathophysiology of exocrine glands and their secretions. In particular, to facilitate and strengthen collaborations between groups with differing strengths, but with intimately related interests, the conference will highlight the topical issues shared with researchers working in salivary and other exocrine glands including pancreas, lacrimal and lung. To these ends, the topics covered will include the molecular mechanisms involved in exocrine gland development and apoptosis, signal transduction, gene regulation together with protein and fluid secretion. The role dysregulation of these processes play in the initiation and progression of "exocrineopathies" such as Sjogrens syndrome, dry eye and pancreatitis will also be a particular feature. To encourage the participation of young investigators we intend to award a number of travel fellowships for students and postdoctoral fellows based on the quality of their submitted abstracts. To be considered for a travel award, abstracts must be submitted by Jan 2, 2009.