Research areas

Evolutionary developmental biology of the skull

Through a combination of mouse and chick based studies of both embryos and post-natal organisms, we are interested in studying the evolutionary developmental biology of the skull to discover the genetic and developmental processes that cause organisms to look different from one another. This involves studying form and the underlying developmental mechanisms that interact with each other and with functional constraints to produce a phenotype. Check out some of the cool stuff we are working at https://genopheno.ucalgary.ca

Bone imaging and bone disease

The lab uses various mice models, including mice from the Collaborative Cross, to investigate the factors that lead to diseases such as osteroarthritis and osteoporosis. This involves looking at bone microstructure in combination with bone breakage to investigate bone strength in long bones, and also investigating the relationship between bone shape and strength.

Genetics of Normal Facial Variation

One project in the lab focuses on increasing our understanding of normal facial variation. The lab is part of the Facebase Consortium and is invovled with the study of normal facial variation. We have taken multiple trips to work with collaborators in Mwanza, Tanzania to collect 3d images, DNA, and anthropometric measures from children there. The goal is quantify the extent and direction of facial variation in this sample and then to link this variation with genetic variants via a GWAS.

Cleft Lip and Palate

One project in the lab is understanding the role of shape in the development of cleft lip and palate. The lab has used several murine based models to investigate the role of both shape and variation of shape in the process of fusion of the facial primorida. Previously, the lab has worked extensively on facial variation in the A strain mouse lines, including the A/WySn mouse, a mouse with a mutation in the Wnt9b gene. Approximately, 20- 30% of these mice are born with a cleft lip. In addition to partially penetrant mouse lines, the lab is also collaborating to investigate the shape differences that are present in a mouse line with a fully penetrant bilateral cleft lip and palate and to understand how these variances in shape affect the ability of the lip to form normally. Additionally, we are interested in how genetic variation affects phenotypic variation and developing an understanding of the control of variation in the face.

Environmental and Genetic Determinants of Growth

Several ongoing research projects, involving humans and mouse models, are focused on analysing the environmental and genetic determinants of growth. One project involves studying environmental and socioeconomic factors that affect the growth of a large sample of schoolchildren in Tanzania. We hope to identify factors that contribute to stunting and delayed growth that will likely be applicable across human populations. Other projects involve mice models such as GHRHR mice to directly identify causative factors influencing growth.