The main objective of the Action is to increase and facilitate the understanding of dental and oralfacial
biology by elucidating the molecular basis of normal and abnormal development as well as
tissue regeneration and allowing development of novel clinical approaches.
The Action, whilst complementary to the B8 COST Action, represents a significant advance in the
outcomes as shown within the title. General objectives are focused on the development and
phylogenetic processes, identification of signalling networks and molecules, functions of regulatory
genes and specific proteins, target genes and delivery molecules for prospective therapy.
Finally, the highest specificity of this Action is to set up a unique, multidisciplinary network of
scientists and clinicians and also incorporate a core of European companies that will participate
in the earliest steps of product development.
Secondary objectives will include the understanding and characterisation of issues in:
– neural crest patterning and oral facial development
– molecular, epigenetic and cellular regulation of dental patterning, morphogenesis and cell
differentiation
– phylogenetic and functional constraints in tooth development in various vertebrate lineages
– signalling cascades, signalling molecules and their target genes
– stem cells, their lineage, maintenance and differentiation during hard tissue formation,
degradation and regeneration
– roles of new genes and their mutations during dental / oral facial development
– genetically induced dental / oral facial abnormalities and diseases
– biological repair, biomimetic, biomaterials, tissue regeneration and tissue engineering
– clinical applications
The proposed studies will have significant impact on an essential implication in:
1. Knowledge, therapy and counselling of genetic disorders affecting teeth and oral facial
development.
2. Translation of basic research findings to clinical applications for improved diagnosis and
treatment.
3. Tissue engineering of teeth and surrounding tissues.
