Cover Story

Strange Lab-Fellows? 

Only upon first inspection. Lung developmental biologists housed in the CCMB have more in common scientifically than one might think.

Money Matters

How the CCMB fares when it comes to grant support both within the USCSD and beyond.

The Mystery of the Missing Muscle 

Neuroscientist Jack Turman collaborates with developmental biologists at the CCMB to understand the complex biology behind feeding behavior.

The Route Here From There 

How Junior Faculty member, Yi-Hsin Liu came to study bone development.

Viruses, They Don't Just Cause Trouble Anymore 

CCMB scientists make routine and creative use of adenoviral vectors to study gene function during development.

Written and produced by
Kirsten Dalrymple

Cover by
Enrique Gonzales

A Note from the Director

Dear Friends and Colleagues, 

Success in biomedical research requires collaborative interactions that expand the range of opportunities available to investigate complex biological systems. The current issue of BITES highlights research collaborations that might not a first glance clearly benefit the CCMB mission, yet have been incredibly valuable to our research programs. The CCMB lung development research group, the BITES feature article, is an excellent example of the success that occurs when different themes of research collaborate. Their research interests have led them to investigate growth factor signaling pathways that have subsequently been applied to the research programs investigating craniofacial development. Shared techniques, reagents and approaches to investigate developmental mechanisms have provided opportunities to advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms controlling craniofacial morphogenesis. The common interests have proven to be mutually beneficial in the collaboration with Jack Turman to study the Krox-20 knockout mice. The use of viruses to deliver gene sequences to cells and tissues represents a methodology that has been widely used in many CCMB projects and gained a foothold in CCMB through projects 'in the lung group. The technical article in BITES discusses the current applications and potential of virally-based methods to transfer DNA capable of producing active gene products. Methods to correct gene defects could be applied to inherited disorders such as craniosynostosis, which is the primary area of investigation of the BITES featured new faculty member, Yi Hsin Liu. Yi became intrigued with craniofacial development through a collaboration with CCMB that developed following NIH funding of the original Center grant in 1989. USCSD has remained a major recipient of NIH funding and currently ranks first in NIDCR funding to private dental schools and sixth among American dental schools. The history of external peer-reviewed research support at CCMB is presented to demonstrate the achievements of our investigators and their contribution to the USCSD record of accomplishment. Numerous future opportunities exist for CCMB investigators to establish additional collaborations that provide new avenues for further research productivity and support. We're excited about the future and hope you enjoy learning more about the research activities at CCMB.

Charles F. Shuler, D.M.D., Ph.D.

Director, Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology

George and Mary Lou Boone Chair of Craniofacial Molecular Biology