Molecular control of mandibular development

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Normal embryonic and foetal devlopment depends on the ability of cells to move from one place to another. This behaviour enables cells to be produced at one site and transported to one or a number of other sites. Although the face appears to us as a single seamless unit it originates as a number of blocks of tissue which begin development separately and must grow in a coordinated way that enables them to meet at precisely the correct time, in the correct place and in the correct order. The basis of this growth and fusion is the ability of individual cells to move around the embryo to supply the raw materials for this construction process when and where they are needed. The combined activities of the cells in constructing the various parts of the embryo is known as morphogenesis which literally means creating shape. We are trying to gain insight into the basis of morphogenesis that produces the face. This is important because the face and other structures that are closely associated with it are particularly prone to errors. Despite this, surprisingly little is known about the mechansims that control development of the face. We know a great deal about which cells are involved in constructing the face but very little about what triggers the initial steps of development or maintains ordered growth. Our research is aimed at defining genes that are important in controlling development of the face through the study of normal development and birth defects. We are defining the function of genes that appear to be important in controlling the behaviour of cells during early development of the face. This knowledge will assist in understanding the control mechanism for facial devlopment and will eventually lead to improvements in the treatment and prevention of birth defects affecting these structures.