How jaw precursor cells control jaw bone growth
Mesenchymal Regulation of Osteogenesis
Learning how embryonic jaw precursor cells set jaw length to help people born with jaw differences or facial clefts.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11310722 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This project studies the embryonic cells (neural crest mesenchyme) that build the jaw to understand what makes jaws short or long. Researchers transplant these jaw‑forming cells between quail and duck embryos—animals with naturally different jaw sizes—to see which genes and signals determine jaw length. They focus on the TGF‑beta pathway and genes like Runx2 and Mmp13 that drive bone formation and resorption, and they test what happens when those genes are increased or blocked. The goal is to map the cellular steps that lead to jaw size differences and identify targets for future treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People born with jaw-size abnormalities—such as mandibular hypoplasia (small jaw), retrognathia, asymmetry, or cleft‑related jaw problems—are the intended beneficiaries of the findings.
Not a fit: Individuals whose facial problems are primarily due to trauma, infection, nerve disorders, or soft‑tissue issues rather than developmental jaw bone defects are less likely to benefit directly from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify molecular targets that lead to new therapies or surgical-adjunct approaches to correct or prevent jaw malformations such as small, asymmetrical, or cleft‑related jaws.
How similar studies have performed: Previous animal and molecular studies have linked TGF‑beta signaling, Runx2, and Mmp13 to bone growth and jaw size and have shown jaw changes when these genes are altered, while the quail‑duck chimera approach offers a novel comparative method.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schneider, Richard a — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Schneider, Richard a
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.