Understanding how faces form to prevent cleft lip and palate
Pbx-Directed Control of Cellular Behaviors that Drive Midface Morphogenesis
This research explores the cellular processes that lead to the formation of the upper lip and palate, aiming to understand why cleft lip and palate occur.
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-11371269 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Cleft lip and palate are common birth defects that happen when parts of the face don't join together properly during development. Our faces form when different sections grow together and fuse, a process that requires specific cells to disappear at the right time. This project looks at how certain proteins, called PBX transcription factors, guide these cell behaviors, like programmed cell death and cell transformation, in mouse embryos. By identifying the specific cell types and genes involved in normal facial fusion, we hope to uncover the root causes of cleft lip and palate.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: This foundational research is relevant to individuals born with cleft lip and palate, as well as families with a history of this condition.
Not a fit: Patients not affected by craniofacial birth defects like cleft lip and palate would not directly benefit from this specific research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could lead to a deeper understanding of cleft lip and palate, potentially paving the way for new strategies to prevent or treat this condition in the future.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work by this team and others has shown that issues with cell fusion and specific genetic factors are linked to cleft lip and palate.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Selleri, Licia — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Selleri, Licia
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.