To integrate functional genomics and craniofacial morphogenesis within FaceBase Consortium

Congenital malformations in facial bones significantly impact the overall representation of face. Establishing a correlation between gene expression and morphogenesis of craniofacial structures may lead to new discoveries of molecular mechanisms of craniofacial development. Thus in the present investigation we will generate gene expression profiles of different facial bones at different time intervals over a period of 5 years to establish their roles in regulating craniofacial development. To perform global gene expression profiling analysis of mandible and maxilla development and integrate these datasets with cell lineage and quantitative 3D dynamic imaging analyses. In collaboration with the ontology group within the FaceBase consortium, we will define anatomical landmarks and morphometric parameters of the developing mandible and maxilla.