Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology

Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC

Welcome

The Herman Ostrow School of Dentistry of USC’s Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology is a unique facility that unites world-class researchers in a variety of disciplines centered around structures of the craniofacial region. Since its inception in 1991, CCMB has been home to several major discoveries and has attracted top researchers from around the world.

April 3, 2017

Postdoctoral research opportunity

A postdoctoral position is available immediately in Yang Chai’s laboratory at the Center for Craniofacial Molecular Biology, University of Southern California in Los Angeles. We are interested in the regulation of developmental patterning, organogenesis and mesenchymal stem cells. Our studies will seek to define molecular mechanisms governing both normal and abnormal craniofacial development, providing scientific rationales for future therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat craniofacial birth defects.  The candidate must have a PhD and be experienced with molecular and developmental biology.

Send application, resume and three letters of recommendation to Dr. Yang Chai (ychai@usc.edu).  EOE/AA

Our recent publications:

  1. Li, J., Parada, C., and Chai, Y. (2017) Cellular and Molecular Regulatory Mechanism of Tooth Root Development. Development, 144, 374-384.
  2. Zhao, H., Feng, J., Ho, T. V., Grimes, W. C., Urata, M., and Chai, Y. (2015) The suture provides a niche for mesenchymal stem cells of craniofacial bones. Nature Cell Biology, 17, 386-396. PMCID: PMC4380556
  3. Li, J., Feng, J., Liu, Y., Ho, T., Grimes, W., Ho, H., Park, S., Wang, S., and Chai, Y. (2015) BMP-SHH signaling network controls epithelial stem cell fate via regulation of its niche in the developing tooth. Developmental Cell, 33, 125-135. PMCID: PMC4406846
  4. Zhao, H., Feng, J., Seidel, K., Shi, S., Klein, O., Sharpe, P., and Chai, Y. (2014) Secretion of Shh by a neurovascular bundle niche supports mesenchymal stem cell homeostasis in the adult mouse incisor. Cell Stem Cell 14, 160-173. PMCID:PMC3951379
  5. Iwata, J., Suzuki, A., Pelikan, R., Ho, T., Sanchez-Lara, P., Chai, Y. (2014) Modulation of lipid metabolic defects rescues cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Human Molecular Genetics, 23, 182-193. PMCID: PMC3857953
  6. Iwata, J., Hacia, J., Suzuki, A., Sanchez-Lara, P., Urata, M., and Chai, Y. (2012) Modulation of non-canonical TGF-b signaling prevents cleft palate in Tgfbr2 mutant mice. Journal of Clinical Investigation 122, 873-885. PMCID: PMC3287237

March 7, 2017

C-DOCTOR to receive $12 million cooperative agreement from NIDCR

The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), National Institutes of Health announced Tuesday that the California-based Center for Dental, Oral & Craniofacial Tissue & Organ Regeneration (C-DOCTOR) will be awarded $12 million over the next three years through a cooperative agreement as one of two resource centers comprising the NIDCR’s Dental, Oral, and Craniofacial Tissue Regeneration Consortium.

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