Yu Lan, PhD, is a developmental geneticist interested in understanding the genetic basis and developmental mechanisms of structural birth defects. Cleft palate is one of the most common birth defects in humans. To understand the molecular and cellular mechanisms of cleft palate pathogenesis, we have been investigating the molecular pathways governing normal palate development in the laboratory mice.

Through gene expression screening, we have identified several putative transcription factor genes with distinct and dynamic expression patterns in the developing mouse palate. Using the gene targeting technology, we have generated mice carrying null or conditional null mutations in some of these transcription factor genes. Analyses of the mutant mice revealed that several of these transcription factors, such as Osr1 and Osr2, play essential roles in palate development. Ongoing investigations focus on delineating the molecular pathways involving these factors in palate development using a combination of genetic, embryological, and biochemical approaches.