Research Interests

NEURODEVELOPMENTAL and CRANIOFACIAL DISORDERS

Research Area

Our group has a long-standing interest in understanding neurodevelopmental disorders, including those relating to mental health. Our group also studies disorders of the brain ventricular system - cavities filled with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) that form the ‘third circulation’. Correct flow of the CSF is likely crucial for normal brain development and function. One aspect of our research focuses on addressing human neurodevelopmental disorders, such as, Epilepsy, 16p11.2, Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, Autism Spectrum Disorders, Hydrocephalus, and Psychiatric disorders.

Current Members

Sive, Hazel (Principal Investigator/Director)
Kolm, Peggy J (Post-doc)

Additional Information

We also study Craniofacial disorders. Craniofacial anomalies are frequent and may go awry frequently due to the many steps involved in setting up the face, and involve both genetic and environmental factors. These steps may occur very early during mouth formation, and involve the Extreme Anterior Domain (EAD), a unique embryonic region that the Sive group named. The EAD gives rise to the mouth, nostrils and anterior pituitary gland. Intriguingly, our group also showed that EAD is a signaling center controlling development of the neural crest, cells that form facial cartilage or bone. Defects in the EAD may therefore lead to both mouth defects, as well as palatal and jaw defects, including cleft lip/palate. Understanding EAD activity in model organisms lends direct insight into human craniofacial anomalies.

Contact

Institution: Whitehead Institute

Address:
Department of Pathology and Anatomy,
Eastern Virginia Medical School
Norfolk, VA
USA

Web Page: http://web.wi.mit.edu/sive/pub/home.html