# Cellular and molecular control of tooth morphogenesis

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO · 2023 · $383,563

## Abstract

ABSTRACT
Tooth bioengineering is of great interest, because dental decay and tooth loss constitute an important public
health issue. Additionally, tooth anomalies are common in many craniofacial syndromes, and the easy
accessibility of the oral cavity makes teeth an excellent test case for organ replacement. A thorough
understanding of the molecular and cellular processes that drive tooth development will be crucial to efforts to
build and repair teeth. The initial step in tooth development involves epithelial invagination that, while
representative of a fundamental and widespread morphogenetic motif utilized throughout development, also
demonstrates important differences among tooth types. We propose to analyze the early, asymmetrical
invagination events in the incisor teeth and to contrast these with the symmetrical invagination of the molar teeth.
In Specific Aim 1, we will define the cell dynamics (motions and forces) distinguishing incisor vs. molar formation.
In Specific Aim 2, we will determine the mechanism by which FGF signaling modulation controls tooth
morphogenesis. In Specific Aim 3, we will apply the spatial and directional effects of FGF and Shh signaling to
modify tooth shape.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10614530
- **Project number:** 5R01DE028496-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN FRANCISCO
- **Principal Investigator:** JEREMY B.A. GREEN
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $383,563
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-07-01 → 2024-10-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10614530

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10614530, Cellular and molecular control of tooth morphogenesis (5R01DE028496-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10614530. Licensed CC0.

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