DNA methylation and cleft lip and palate
DNA methylation in orofacial clefting
This project looks at whether changes in DNA methylation affect how cleft lip and palate form in babies so we can find ways to prevent them.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Wisconsin-Madison NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Madison, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11253299 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
As someone worried about cleft lip or palate, I would want researchers to compare DNA methylation patterns in developing facial tissues and in human samples to see which genes are switched on or off. The team will combine genome-wide methylation mapping with bulk and single-cell RNA analyses and use new lab models they developed to trace how those epigenetic changes change cell behavior. They will link methylation differences to susceptibility for orofacial clefts and aim to pinpoint molecular steps that could be modified. Results could point toward environmental or biological targets for future prevention strategies.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would include pregnant people, newborns with cleft lip or palate, or parents willing to provide samples or clinical information to researchers.
Not a fit: People with unrelated health conditions or adults whose clefts were repaired long ago are unlikely to receive direct benefits from this prevention-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal biological targets or environmental factors to reduce the risk of some cleft lip and palate cases.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked DNA methylation changes to orofacial clefts but causal mechanisms are still largely unproven, so this builds on promising early evidence.
Where this research is happening
Madison, United States
- University of Wisconsin-Madison — Madison, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lipinski, Robert — University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Study coordinator: Lipinski, Robert
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.