Saliva Extracellular RNA Discussed at IADR

David Wong, DMD, DMSc, professor in the Section of Oral Biology in the Division of Oral Biology and Medicine at University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry and director for UCLA Center for Oral/Head & Neck Oncology Research, along with Roger P. Alexander, PhD, with the Pacific Northwest Research Institute in Seattle, Washington, hosted the symposium “Saliva Extracellular RNA: New Horizon in Dental, Oral and Craniofacial Research” at the 96th General Session of the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) In London, England.

Held in conjunction with the IADR Pan European Regional (PER) Congress, speakers in the symposium provided an overview the exRNA profiles of human biofluids, providing a foundation for the focus on saliva. Available exRNA datasets and analysis software were discussed as well as a case study showing how salivary exRNA can provide information about systemic disease.

The symposium highlighted new discoveries about oral exRNA biology, explained how to tailor the analysis of RNA sequencing data from saliva to account for its high fraction of exogenous RNA and allowed for discussion on how to capitalize on the potential of salivary extracellular RNA to improve research and practice.