1st International Congress on Saliva Science: Advancing Research, Education, and Innovation and 2nd Annual meeting of the Project – Inclusive Digital Material on Saliva Science for the Curricula of European Higher Education Institutions (EdU_Saliva)

Abstract

The ERASMUS+ Edu_Saliva project has as its overarching goal the promotion of saliva as a biological fluid of remarkable potential, encouraging its study and application across diverse fields. This because saliva offers unique advantages for research, education, and innovation, making it a valuable resource for disciplines ranging from animal and food sciences to the animal and human biomedical domain. Within the framework of this project, the first edition of the Congress on Saliva Science: Advancing Research, Education, and Innovation (in-person and online) was held, on 12th September 2025, in the University of Évora, Portugal. This inaugural meeting brought together researchers from different backgrounds to share knowledge and explore the role of saliva in science, teaching, and beyond. With two distinguished keynote speakers—one from the field of psychology and the other from nutrition—alongside eight oral presentations and ten poster communications, the congress provided a fertile ground for scientific exchange. It fostered stronger collaborations and opened the door to new ones, highlighting the richness and interdisciplinary relevance of saliva research. This event marks only the beginning of what is envisioned as a growing and annual congress. The success of this first edition reinforces the importance of creating a platform where science, education, and innovation converge around the study of saliva.