Vieira Lab

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.