Salivary Gland Development and Regeneration

This book provides a comprehensive update on the latest information and knowledge which emerged from translational and basic science research endeavors, targeting the regeneration of salivary glands. The coverage includes salivary gland growth and development, stem cell therapy, bioengineering of salivary glands, and perspectives on and practical approaches to restoration of secretory function. More specifically, among the individual topics addressed are the various types of stem cell of value for cell replacement therapy, technological advances with respect to 3D printing, gene therapy, organ culture of salivary glands, and surgical aspects of the feasibility and practicality of transplantation. Readers will find helpful practical guidance on functional restorations of damaged salivary glands and stimulating insights into potential future directions in salivary gland regeneration research. The authors are all acknowledged experts from a range of academic and clinical backgrounds. Accordingly, the book will be of interest not only to clinicians, such as general dental practitioners, oral medicine specialists, and surgeons who manage dry mouth patients, but also to biomedical engineers, stem cell researchers, and transplant surgeons.

Seunghee Cha, DDS, PhD, is an Associate Professor in the Section of Oral Medicine and Joint Associate Professor in Oral Biology, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry. Dr. Cha is actively involved in basic and clinical science research while serving leadership roles in various international scientific communities. Her main research interests include the pathogenesis of autoimmune Sj?gren's syndrome (SjS) and cell replacement therapy for dry mouth. Her current and future studies are focusing on the pathological roles of anti-M3R autoantibodies in SjS hyposalivation, the pro-inflammatory microenvironment in the salivary glands for target tissue specificity, microRNA expression and its functions in innate immunity of SjS, identification of susceptibility genes by application of functional genomics and proteomics, application of receptor-mediated siRNA delivery in SjS, and development of preventive and therapeutic strategies for dry mouth. Dr. Cha has published extensively in peer-reviewed international journals.