New Insights in Facial Development

The recent sequencing of the human genome is revealing the template of the directional signals and morphogenetic elements guiding development of the embryo. Of the estimated 25,000 genes of the human genome, some 17,000 genes have been identified in contributing to craniofacial development. The complexities of the phenomena of cellular differentiation, histogenesis, tissue migration, apoptosis, melding and fusion of folds, and prominences in creating the human face are being elucidated by identifying genes, transcription factors, and signaling pathways that are responsible for the phenotypic expression of facial development. Dysmorphology will potentially be anticipated and possibly biomimetically controlled by genetic and growth factor intervention rather than by post hoc treatment by mechanical means.