2022 Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration Gordon Research Conference and Gordon Research Seminar

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Project Summary Goals of craniofacial research are to better understand normal development, the causes underlying craniofacial malformations, and how best to develop diagnostics and therapies to repair craniofacial tissues. In-depth interdisciplinary understanding of developmental biology, craniofacial disease processes and tissue repair can provide essential insight into mechanisms regulating craniofacial morphogenesis and regeneration, and the translation of scientific outcomes to effectively treat the wide variety of clinical disorders affecting the head and face. Such in-depth understanding requires detailed knowledge of the cellular events and molecular signals that control craniofacial tissue patterning, development and repair, and the morphogenetic processes that shape craniofacial tissues and organs. Contemporary developmental studies of the vertebrate craniofacial complex employ multidisciplinary approaches including developmental biology, functional genomics, biomedical engineering, biophysics, and molecular and cellular biology. The study of craniofacial development utilises a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate models, which collectively provide a variety of experimental approaches to investigate the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the morphogenesis of craniofacial structures in both health and disease. These models also offer insight into the evolutionary forces and environmental factors driving the diversity of craniofacial form and function. As such, research in craniofacial development is a key discipline of developmental and cellular biology and aligns well with the scope of prominent peer-reviewed journals. The 2022 Craniofacial Morphogenesis and Tissue Regeneration GRC/GRS proposed here will highlight how interdisciplinary research is rapidly expanding our understanding of craniofacial development and tissue regeneration through talks investigating the integration of molecular and biomechanical signals regulating craniofacial development. Such interdisciplinary approaches are being used to elucidate how developing craniofacial tissues and their environment interact to create craniofacial form and function. The proposed presentations will be accompanied by extensive discussions on how these processes drive the diversity of craniofacial structures, and how many distinctive features of the vertebrate head have evolved. Invited presentations by new and established researchers will discuss new findings in craniofacial morphogenesis and tissue regeneration, with specific focus on the role of mechanical and bioelectric signaling in craniofacial development and tissue regeneration. The meeting will also feature sessions on cell signalling, clinical genetics, sense organs, new animal models of craniofacial disorders, and on novel tissue engineering strategies for regenerative craniofacial tissue repair. The program is designed to promote interactions of basic science researchers, clinician scientists, biomedical engineers and evolutionary biologists of diverse expertise, in order to foster stimulating discussions and productive new collaborations in a highly collegial atmosphere.