About CCMB

Yang Chai, DDS, PhD
Director, CCMB

Welcome to the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology (CCMB).

CCMB is a research laboratory located on the Health Sciences Campus of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles. Administratively CCMB is a part of the Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC. The laboratory is funded through numerous federal and organization sponsored research grants. Many of these grants are from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research under which basic research is conducted into developmental, biochemical and molecular biological aspects of human development, with a special emphasis on craniofacial structures in both health and disease.

CCMB has 13 full-time and 1 part-time investigators, working with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and research technicians and administrators to a total complement of 50-60 staff.The Center represents an affiliation of investigators; a diverse group of men and women from all points of the globe.

This group has established an outstanding record of research accomplishments, making significant new discoveries in areas such as:

• molecular genetics of tooth development
• molecular etiology of cleft lip and palate and rescue
• enamel matrix formation and biomineralization
• transcriptional control of craniofacial development
• stem cell mediated craniofacial tissue regeneration
• nanotechnology strategies for growth of bones and teeth
• wound healing
• head and neck cancer
• tooth root formation
• lung development

Working together, we are advancing oral, dental and craniofacial research toward solving problems in health and promoting the well-being of the society.

I welcome your comments and suggestions.

Yang Chai, DDS, PhD
Professor
George and MaryLou Boone Chair in Craniofacial Molecular Biology
Director, Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology
Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC
University of Southern California