Understanding tooth development and signaling mechanisms
Official title: Nonclassical β-catenin signaling in odontogenesis
Funded at Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. · NIH-11077332 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking into how teeth develop and what goes wrong when some teeth are missing, with the hope of finding new ways to help replace them better than current options like implants.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ada Forsyth Institute, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Cambridge, United States) |
| Project start | July 6, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $541,951 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DE033013-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11077332 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with congenital dental abnormalities such as Anodontia, Oligodontia, or Hypodontia.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with fully developed dentition and no history of tooth agenesis may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the complex signaling pathways involved in tooth development, particularly focusing on nonclassical β-catenin signaling. It aims to uncover the regulatory mechanisms that lead to conditions like tooth agenesis, where one or more permanent teeth are missing. By studying the interactions between dental epithelium and mesenchyme, the research seeks to identify potential new therapies for tooth replacement that could provide more permanent solutions than current methods like implants or prosthetics. The approach includes genetic studies and mouse models to explore the role of specific genes in tooth formation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to innovative treatments for individuals with missing teeth, potentially allowing for the development of autologous tooth replacements.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in understanding the role of Wnt signaling in tooth development, indicating that this approach has a foundation in established science.
Where this research is happening
-
Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
Cambridge, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hsu, Wei — Ada Forsyth Institute, INC.
- Study coordinator: Hsu, Wei
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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.