Creating a tissue chip to study Sjögren's syndrome in salivary glands

Development of a salivary gland Sjögren's syndrome tissue chip platform

NIH-funded research University of Rochester · NIH-10995656

This study is creating a special tool that mimics the salivary glands of people with Sjögren's syndrome to see how certain chemicals might affect the disease, with the goal of finding new treatments and improving options for those dealing with dry mouth.

Quick facts

Grant typeR21 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Rochester NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Rochester, United States)
Project IDNIH-10995656 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research aims to develop a novel tissue chip platform that mimics salivary gland tissue affected by Sjögren's syndrome, an autoimmune condition that leads to dry mouth. Using advanced microbubble array technology and a specific mouse model, the project will explore how exposure to certain chemicals may influence the disease's progression. By analyzing gene expression changes in the salivary glands, researchers hope to uncover mechanisms behind the disease and identify potential new treatments. This platform will also facilitate high-throughput drug discovery for Sjögren's syndrome, addressing a significant gap in current treatment options.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals diagnosed with Sjögren's syndrome, particularly those experiencing symptoms like dry mouth.

Not a fit: Patients with Sjögren's syndrome who are not affected by endocrine disruptors or who have other unrelated conditions may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to the development of new therapies for Sjögren's syndrome, improving the quality of life for affected patients.

How similar studies have performed: While the approach of using tissue chips is gaining traction, this specific application for Sjögren's syndrome is novel and has not been extensively tested in prior research.

Where this research is happening

Rochester, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Autoimmune Diseases
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.