NIDCR Holds Sjögren’s Grand Rounds, Nov. 15 in Lipsett Amphitheater

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research will host a special grand rounds to mark the genesis of its Sjögren’s Syndrome Clinic, a bench-to-bedside program bringing basic and preclinical scientific discoveries to the clinical setting. “Celebrating 35 Years of Sjögren’s Syndrome Research at NIH” will be held Friday, Nov. 15 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in Lipsett Amphitheater, Bldg. 10.

In 1984, a Sjögren’s syndrome clinical protocol led by NIDCR investigator Dr. Bruce Baum launched the clinic’s establishment. Speakers will trace the past, present and future of research on this systemic autoimmune condition, which commonly causes dry mouth and dry eyes and affects up to 4 million people in the United States.

Dry mouth is caused by decreased functioning of the salivary glands and interferes with taste, makes chewing and swallowing more difficult and increases the risk for cavities, tooth loss and oral infections. Featured speakers include Baum, now NIDCR scientist emeritus, who developed the first-ever salivary gland gene therapy tried in humans; Steven Taylor, chief executive officer, Sjögren’s Syndrome Foundation; Dr. Caroline Shiboski, professor and chair, department of orofacial sciences, University of California, San Francisco, School of Dentistry; and NIDCR assistant clinical investigator Dr. Blake Warner.

The event will be followed by a reception on the FAES terrace. Individuals who need sign language interpreting and/or other reasonable accommodation to participate should contact Chalante Davis at Chalante.Davis@nih.gov and (301) 827-1093, or the Federal Relay at 1-800-877-8339. Requests should be made at least 5 days before the event.