Our Science
Hydronovo is built on more than a decade of rigorous scientific research focused on understanding how salivary glands develop, function, and repair themselves after radiation damage.
The salivary gland under a microscope
A nerve communicating with saliva-producing cells
Dr. Knox and her lab discovered the stem cell population within the salivary gland. Specifically, this work has shown that the nerves and saliva-producing cells within the gland communicate through neurogenic signals that are important for maintaining healthy tissue and supporting tissue repair.
By harnessing these natural repair pathways, our research has laid the scientific foundation for an injectable therapy designed to help regenerate damaged salivary gland tissue - not simply provide temporary relief from dry mouth.
Learn more about the science behind Hydronovo:
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Rescue of non-healing, degenerative salivary glands by cholinergic-calcium signaling
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Long-term functional regeneration of radiation-damaged salivary glands through delivery of a neurogenic hydrogel
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Salivary glands regenerate after radiation injury through SOX2‐mediated secretory cell replacement
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SOX2 regulates acinar cell development in the salivary gland
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Neuronal-epithelial cross-talk drives acinar specification via NRG1-ERBB3-mTORC2 signaling