This FOA will encourage interdisciplinary research that harnesses the functional components of saliva towards therapeutics. It is expected that outcomes will facilitate development of highly effective surrogate saliva for clinical applications. Recent developments in salivary gland transcriptomics and its integrations with saliva and blood plasma components have enabled linkage of human salivary proteins to the salivary gland where they are generated, identification of salivary-gland-specific genes, uncovering gene repertoires allowing examinations of salivary components in a context-specific manner. It is well-recognized that the context of use of saliva highly determines the components in the saliva that need to be replenished. This funding opportunity aims to establish a better understanding of these contexts and components, thus laying the groundwork for new therapies and technologies.

Applications responsive to this funding opportunity should address unmet clinical therapeutic needs in areas of dry mouth, dental materials, remineralization, oral immunology, and cellular therapies that recapitulate properties of human saliva containing antimicrobial components and incorporating its immunomodulatory and remineralization properties. Studies are expected to lead to the development of novel therapies to modulate imbalances in the composition and quantity of saliva at the individual’s level resulting from injury, illness, or individual deficiencies and to enhance growth and repair of oral tissues to promote and restore oral health.