Email this pageJiang Lab
Rulang Jiang
Ph.D. 1995 Wesleyan
Professor of Biomedical Genetics in the Center for Oral Biology; Professor of Biology; Professor of Dentistry
Primary Appointment: Department of Biomedical Genetics (BMG)
Secondary Appointments: Department of Biology; Department of Dentistry
Center Affiliation: Center for Oral Biology (COB)
Research Overview
Craniofacial malformations, including cleft lip and palate, are common disfiguring birth defects in humans, occurring at a frequency of approximately 1 in 600 infants. The causes of such birth defects are complex, involving multiple genetic and environmental factors. To gain a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying normal craniofacial development and the pathogenic processes leading to congenital craniofacial malformations, we are using a combination of genetic, biochemical, and embryological approaches to analyze craniofacial development in the model mammalian system, the laboratory mice. We are using both forward and reverse genetic approaches to investigate the molecular mechanisms of craniofacial birth defects.
The forward genetic approach involves identification of causal genes and molecular pathways disrupted by uncharacterized mutations that cause craniofacial malformations including cleft lip and/or cleft palate (e.g., we recently positionally cloned the classic orofacial cleft mutation Dancer), whereas the reverse genetic approach involves generation and analyses of mice carrying null or conditional mutations using the Cre/loxP-mediated gene targeting techniques.
Current gene targeting projects focus on investigating the roles of transcription factors and signaling molecules exhibiting tissue specific expression patterns during craniofacial development. In the last few years, we have analyzed more than five different mutant mouse strains with craniofacial developmental defects. Using these mutant mouse models, we are attempting to delineate the molecular pathways and to identify novel genes that interact with known critical regulators of craniofacial development using genetic modifier screening, genomic manipulations, microarray-based gene expression profiling, as well as protein-protein interaction studies. These studies are providing new insights into the molecular genetic mechanisms underlying human craniofacial development and birth defects.
Projects
 |
Genetic Basis and Pathogenic Mechanisms of Cleft Lip and/or Cleft Palate |
 |
Molecular Mechanisms of Palate Development |
 |
Mammalian Organogenesis |
Recent Publications
Gao Y, Lan Y, Ovitt CE, Jiang R (2009). Functional equivalence of the zinc finger transcription factors Osr1 and Osr2 in mouse development. Developmental Biology 328:200-209. PMID: 19389375 View article in PubMed
Zhang, Z., Lan, Y., Chai, Y., and Jiang, R. (2009). Antagonistic actions of
Msx1 and Osr2 pattern mammalian teeth into single row. Science
323:1232-1234. View article in PubMed
Lan, Y., Jiang, R. (2009). Sonic hedgehog signaling regulates reciprocal
epithelial-mesenchymal interactions controlling palatal outgrowth.
Development 136:1387-1396. View article in PubMed
Chen, J., Lan, Y., Jiang, R. (2009). Wnt/b-catenin signaling plays a direct and essential role in activation of odontogenic mesenchyme during early tooth development. Developmental Biology, 334(1):174-85. PMID: 19631205 View article in PubMed
More papers: 
Graduate Program Affiliations
- Genetics, Genomics and Development (GGD)
- Pathways of Human Disease (PWD)
- Biochemistry, Molecular and Cell Biology (BMCB)
Contact
Rulang Jiang
University of Rochester Medical Center
601 Elmwood Ave., Box 611
Rochester, NY 14642
Office: KMRB G-9633
Phone: 1-585-273-1426
Lab: KMRB G-9838
Lab Phone: 1-585-273-1422
rulang_jiang@
urmc.rochester.edu
Lab Members
 |
Yu Lan, Research Assistant Professor |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
Shihai Jia, Post-doc |
 |
Yang Gao, Graduate student |
 |
Kathleen Maltby, Technical associate |
