The Vieira Lab studies genetics of craniofacial anomalies, in particular, cleft lip and palate, tooth agenesis and common oral diseases such as caries and periodontitis. The basic idea underlying the studies is both simple and important; normal phenotype characteristics, as well as disease, represent interplay of environmental factors operating on a genetic background. To discover the predisposing genes is just as important as finding the environmental factors and should provide clues to pathogenesis, treatment and prevention.