Understanding How Bones and Tissues Connect in the Face and Skull
Regulating Skeletal Connectivity in Craniofacial Development and Disease
This research aims to understand how different parts of the face and skull connect during development, which is important for children born with craniofacial differences.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Southern California NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11195074 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Our faces and skulls are made of many different tissues that must fit together perfectly as we grow. While we know a lot about bones and cartilage, we don't fully understand how soft tissues connect to them or how they communicate with each other. This project looks at the face and skull as a complete system, exploring the cells and signals that create these connections. By working with human geneticists, we hope to find new genes linked to craniofacial conditions.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is for future patients who may be born with craniofacial differences, as it seeks to uncover the underlying biological mechanisms.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate treatment or direct participation in a clinical trial would not directly benefit from this basic science research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help us better understand the causes of congenital craniofacial disorders and potentially lead to new ways to prevent or treat them.
How similar studies have performed: This approach addresses critical gaps in our current understanding, focusing on aspects of craniofacial development that are largely unknown.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, UNITED STATES
- University of Southern California — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Merrill, Amy E — University of Southern California
- Study coordinator: Merrill, Amy E
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.