Translational Genetics & Genomics Program

The Translational Genetics and Genomics Program supports research designed to identify the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying dental, oral, and craniofacial diseases and health. Craniofacial abnormalities, such as cleft lip and cleft palate, ectodermal dysplasias, craniosynostosis, and amelogenesis and dentinogenesis imperfecta, may be the result of spontaneous or inherited genetic mutations. Often, the etiology is complex, involving environmental factors and gene-gene and gene-environment interactions. Dental and oral health problems, such as dental caries, oral cancer, periodontal diseases, Sjögren’s syndrome, and temporomandibular joint disorder, often result from the complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors as well. Research focusing on genetics or on the interplay of genetic and environmental factors to improve understanding of genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying dental, oral, and craniofacial diseases and health is supported by this program.

The program supports research on:

• Gene Discovery and Characterization
  • Gene discovery studies using candidate gene or genome-wide high-throughput technologies and epidemiologic or family-based approaches
  • Replication, fine-mapping, functional, and translational studies of promising genes and variants
  • Clinical studies of genotype/phenotypic correlation
• Statistical Methodology Development
  • Statistical methodology development for and secondary data analyses of genome-wide data, relevant to dental, oral, and craniofacial research