Understanding how the palate develops and what causes cleft palates
Official title: Molecular Regulation of Palate Development
Funded at Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr · NIH-11047745 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how the mouth develops, especially for babies born with a submucous cleft palate, to understand what goes wrong during this process and find ways to help improve treatments.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cincinnati, United States) |
| Project start | March 4, 2024 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $664,175 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033890-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11047745 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are infants and children diagnosed with submucous cleft palate or other craniofacial abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with cleft palates caused by non-genetic factors or those who do not have craniofacial abnormalities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms behind palate development, particularly focusing on submucous cleft palate (SMCP), a common birth defect. By examining the role of specific transcription factors and their expression patterns during embryonic development, the study aims to uncover how muscle and connective tissues in the palate are formed and regulated. The research employs advanced biological assays and genetic analysis to explore the interactions between different cell types involved in palate formation. This could lead to a better understanding of the causes of cleft palates and potential therapeutic approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved prevention and treatment strategies for cleft palate and related birth defects.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding muscle development and signaling pathways in other contexts, suggesting potential for breakthroughs in this area as well.
Where this research is happening
-
Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
Cincinnati, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Jiang, Rulang — Cincinnati Childrens Hosp Med Ctr
- Study coordinator: Jiang, Rulang
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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.