Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) awarded the University of California, Irvine a $128,191 Project Grant on May 1, 2026, under the Oral Diseases and Disorders Research program (CFDA 93.121) to identify non-coding sources of mammalian craniofacial variation. The research will advance understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying craniofacial variations and anomalies by identifying and functionally testing non-coding regulatory elements and their variants. The project employs comparative genomics and dog breeds as a model system to uncover enhancers associated with craniofacial variations, with validation conducted through transgenic reporter assays and CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to test the impacts of specific variants on enhancer function and target gene expression.

The grant supports a two-phase research initiative with a performance period concluding April 30, 2028. During the K99 phase, the awardee will establish foundational findings through comparative genomic analysis and functional validation of enhancer elements. The subsequent R00 phase will employ novel microarray and molecular techniques to further investigate enhancer-gene regulatory relationships. These research activities ultimately aim to inform targeted therapeutic interventions for craniofacial malformations, one of the most prevalent congenital disorders, by elucidating the polygenic genetic architecture governing facial morphogenesis.