Saliva

In this area academic and clinical experts work on a range of projects from basic studies of saliva and salivary gland function to clinical monitoring and treatment of saliva-related disease.

Salivary diagnostics and biobanks:
Collection and banking of saliva for use as a diagnostic tool in a range of oral and non-oral diseases including squamous cell carcinoma and periodontal disease. Studies with UK Biobank.

Functions of saliva at oral surfaces in health and disease:
Formation and composition of saliva films on oral surfaces and their impact on oral function including food perception, hard tissue mineralization and mucosal wetness.

Chronic oral dryness:
The changes in saliva and the oral mucosa leading to chronic oral dryness and the diagnosis and monitoring of disease in dry mouth patients.

Treatment of salivary gland disease:
The use of minimally invasive surgery to treat patients with salivary gland disease including obstructive and cancer.

Salivary gland disease and regeneration:
The mechanisms leading to chronic salivary gland disease and loss of function and studies of salivary gland regeneration.