How the SPECC1L protein helps the developing palate flip into place before birth
Role of SPECC1L cytoskeletal protein in palate elevation dynamics
Researchers are looking at how a protein called SPECC1L helps the palate move into its proper position during fetal development, which relates to cleft palate in children.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11090445 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient perspective, this work watches how the two palatal shelves in an embryo reorient from vertical to horizontal and fuse, a step that can fail and cause cleft palate. The team uses mouse models, in‑utero MRI imaging, and 3‑D finite element computer modeling to capture the rapid event and simulate the forces involved. They study cell behaviors such as proliferation, orientation, and actomyosin (motor protein) contraction, and focus on how the cytoskeletal protein SPECC1L contributes to these movements. The goal is to define the timing and mechanical processes that normally drive palate elevation so failures can be better understood.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People affected by cleft palate, families with a known SPECC1L-related diagnosis, or those willing to donate clinical samples for related studies would be the most relevant participants for translation or future clinical studies.
Not a fit: Individuals with conditions unrelated to palate development or whose clefts are caused by factors clearly unrelated to SPECC1L are unlikely to see direct benefits from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: This research could clarify causes of cleft palate and eventually inform earlier prevention strategies, better diagnostics, or improved timing and approaches for treatments or surgery.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked SPECC1L and other cytoskeletal proteins to facial development, but real‑time in utero imaging combined with 3‑D mechanical modeling is a newer approach in this field.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Saadi, Irfan — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Saadi, Irfan
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.