Creating functional salivary gland tissues to treat dry mouth
Bottom-Up Assembly of Functional Salivary Gland Tissues
This study is exploring new ways to help people with dry mouth, especially those who have had radiation treatment for head and neck cancer, by using special cells and materials to grow new salivary glands that can work like the real ones.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Delaware NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Newark, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11015836 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing innovative tissue-engineering techniques to restore salivary function in patients suffering from xerostomia, particularly those who have undergone radiotherapy for head and neck cancers. The team isolates human salivary gland stem cells from patients and uses specialized hydrogel matrices to support the growth and organization of these cells into functional salivary gland-like structures. By mimicking the natural environment of salivary glands, the research aims to create a viable solution to alleviate the debilitating effects of dry mouth, which affects many cancer survivors.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced xerostomia as a result of radiotherapy for head and neck cancers.
Not a fit: Patients who do not have a history of head and neck cancer or those who have not undergone radiotherapy may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve the quality of life for patients suffering from dry mouth by restoring salivary function.
How similar studies have performed: While tissue engineering for organ restoration is a growing field, this specific approach to creating functional salivary glands is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Where this research is happening
Newark, UNITED STATES
- University of Delaware — Newark, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jia, Xinqiao — University of Delaware
- Study coordinator: Jia, Xinqiao
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.