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About NICHD - Organization - CDBPM
Developmental Biology, Genetics and Teratology (DBGT) Branch

The DBGT Branch supports basic and clinical research on normal and abnormal development that relates to the causes and prevention of congenital and genetic defects. It also supports research training in relevant academic and medical areas. High priority is accorded to basic research on elucidating the biochemical, molecular biologic, genetic, and cellular mechanisms of early development. Research resource contracts which provide essential technology and biologic materials to the developmental biology research community are also supported.

Developmental and Clinical Genetics

Research is directed towards elucidating hereditary influences underlying developmental disorders and understanding the hereditary instructions for the developmental process. It includes epidemiologic studies of families; clinical studies of phenotypic changes in relation to genes, their structure, function, regulatory mechanisms, and location on specific chromosome; and investigation of vertebrate and invertebrate model systems to explain the basic mechanisms that regulate developmental gene expression. Studies in animal models provide a unique means to identify genes that initiate and control developmental processes and to analyze regulatory mechanisms for differentially- expressed genes or groups of genes.

Developmental Biology

This area supports studies to determine mechanisms underlying human development including developmental processes in experimental model systems, as well as how specialized tissues and organs form from a series of divisions of a single fertilized egg. The three programs in this area cover studies on early embryo development, establishment of pattern, and the elaboration of specific tissues and organs.

• Early Embryo Development. This program is interested in elucidating basic cellular and molecular mechanisms that direct the single fertilized egg to develop into a complex multicellular organism. These studies use a variety of animal species to examine the events involved in cell division, cell migrations, establishment of pattern, interactions between cells and between cells and extracellular materials, fate determination and differentiation. Also of interest is the development and application of imaging technology to visualize developmental processes.
  
  
• Limb Development, Chondrogenesis, and Myogenesis. This program focuses on the development of connective and supportive tissues, with emphasis on embryonic maturation of the limb. Of particular program interest are molecular, biochemical and morphological studies addressing limb outgrowth and pattern formation, and the underlying mechanisms associated with chondrogenesis, somite formation, the regulation of myogenesis, and the formation of neuromuscular junctions. Also of interest are studies identifying the mechanisms supporting regeneration.
  
  
• Developmental Neurobiology. This program supports basic research, using animal, explant, and cell culture models as well as molecular, biochemical, and morphological procedures, designed to elucidate mechanisms of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system development. Investigations of interest include those on temporal and spatial expression of genes involved in pattern formation of the CNS, cell lineage and development of neural crest cells, growth cone formation and guidance, and the role of cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions on neuronal development. Studies on neural tube formation and aberrations of development resulting in neural tube defects are of high program relevance.

Teratology

This area assesses adverse genetic and environmental influences on development, and seeks to clarify mechanisms by which developmental aberrations are produced. Structural defects such as neural tube defects, normal and abnormal limb development, and associated anomalies are given special emphasis, though subtle long term effects on the CNS and other organs are also examined. The bioeffects of ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and environmentally induced defects are also of special interest as well as tissue specific selective susceptibility to teratogenic insult.

Developmental Reproductive Immunology

Research on the ontogeny of immunity includes investigations on comparative developmental immunobiology, developmental immunogenetics, genetic defects of immunity, primary immunodeficiencies, early thymic development, and teratogens and nutritional deficiencies that affect development of the immune system. Emphasis is on the temporal development and function of immune cells, complement factors, and cytokines in the developing embryo, fetus, infant, and child. The program supports studies to: diagnose congenital infections; characterize and understand the sequential development of host defense mechanisms to congenital and pediatric infections; and study vertical transmission of pathogenic agents and evaluate their roles in teratogenesis and fetal wastage. The reproductive immunologic studies focus primarily on embryonic/fetal-maternal tolerance, maternal and fetal immunity, and mechanisms that protect the fetus from immunologic rejection. These studies examine the role and interaction of the placenta, maternal and fetal immune cells, cytokines, hormones, immunogenetics, and major histocompatibility antigens during pregnancy. Support is also provided for studies on immunotherapy for recurrent spontaneous abortions and mechanisms operative in maternal-fetal exchange of humoral and cellular components.

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