Department of Orthodontics
Dr. Andrew C. Lidral, Professor
Education:
B.S., University of Wisconsin, University of North Carolina, 1990
D.D.S., University of North Carolina, 1990
Certificate, orthodontics, University of Iowa, 1996
Ph.D., genetics, University of Iowa, 1997
Research Activities:
Brief Professional Resume:
The focus of Dr. Lidral's research is craniofacial developmental genetics. Specifically,
his goal is to identify the genetic causes of craniofacial birth defects, including syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of
orofacial clefting, which occurs in 1/500-1/1000 births. Here in the U.S., most patients are treated in a clinical team
setting to coordinate treatment based upon each individual's needs. Rehabilitative care, which extends from birth until at
least age 18, includes multiple surgeries, procedures and other interventions. More importantly, the social and psychological
ramifications from appearing abnormal can have a very adverse effect on the person and their family. Since nonsyndromic
clefting is a genetically complex trait, Dr. Lidral's team uses a variety of strategies to identify disease genes. His main
focus is to collaborate with other researchers to study nonsyndromic clefting in unique populations whose ethnicity or
genetic heritage increase the likelihood for gene identification. Ongoing collaborations include researchers in Colombia,
South America; Pittsburgh, PA; and Seattle, WA. Recently, Dr. Lidral has completed a genome wide scan and has identified a
major gene on chromosome 9. He is implementing parallel and complementary strategies to identify the disease gene at this
locus. These approaches include linkage and association fine-mapping approaches, sequencing candidate genes and comparative
developmental genetics using available mouse models. These mouse models include two strains with cleft lip that we are
studying to determine which molecular pathways are affected. Interestingly, these mouse models map to regions that have been
positive in our human studies. This is quite exciting because previous studies have shown that providing supplemental folate
to these mice reduces the prevalence of clefting. Therefore, the animal studies may translate to prevention strategies in humans.
Recent Publications
Moreno L, Arcos-Burgos M, Marazita M, Krahn K, Maher BS, Cooper ME, Valencia C, Lidral AC.
Genetic analysis of candidate loci in nonsyndromic cleft lip families from Antioquia, Colombia,
and Ohio. Amer J Med Genet 125A(2):135-44, 2004.
Marazita ML, Murray JC, Lidral AC, Arcos-Bargos M, Cooper ME, Goldstein T, Maher BS, Daak-Hirsch S,
Schultz R, Field LL, Liu Y, Prescott N, Malcolm S, Winter R, Ray A, Moreno L, Valencia C,
Neiswanger K, Bailey-Wilson J, Albacha-Hejazi H, Beaty T, McIntosh I, Hetman J, Tuncbilek G.
Meta-analysis of 11 genome scans for cleft lip with or without cleft palate. Am J Human Genet 75(2):161-73, 2004.
Lidral AC, Murray JC. Genetics approaches to identify disease genes for birth defects with cleft lip/palate as a model.
Birth Defects Res Part A: Clin Mol Teratol. 70(12):893-901, 2004.
Lidral AC, Moreno LM. Progress towards discerning the genetics of cleft lip. Curr Opin Pediatr 17(6):731-739, 2005.
Jiang, R, Bush JO, Lidral AC. Development of the upper lip: morphogenetic and molecular mechanisms. Dev Dyn 235:1152-1166, 2006.
Lan, Y, Ryan RC, Zhang Z, Bullard SB, Bush JO, Lidral AC, Jiang R. Expression of Wnt9b and activation of canonical Wnt
signaling during midfacial morphogenesis in mice. Dev Dyn 235:1448-1454, 2006.
Modesto A, Moreno LM, Krahn K, King S, Lidral AC. MSX1 and orofacial clefting with or without tooth agenesis.
J Dent Res 85(6):542-6, 2006.
Chiquet BT, Lidral AC, Stal S, Mulliken JB, Moreno LM, Arco-Burgos M, Valencia-Ramirez C,
Blanton SH, Hecht JT. CRISPLD2: a novel NSCLP candidate gene. Hum Mol Genet 2007 Jul 5 [Epub ahead of print]
Riley BM, Schultz RE, Cooper ME, Goldstein-McHenry T, Daack-Hirsch S, Lee KT, Dragan E, Vieira AR, Lidral AC,
Marazita ML, Murray JC. A genome-wide linkage scan for cleft lip and cleft palate identifies a novel locus on
8p11-23. Am J Med Genet A. 2007 Apr 15;143(8):846-52.
Vieira AR, Modesto A, Meira R, Barbosa AR, Lidral AC, Murray JC. Interferon regulatory factor 6 (IRF6)
and fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) contribute to human tooth agenesis. Am J Med Genet A. 2007 Mar 15;143(6):538-45.
National or International Professional Appointments or Activities
Dr. Lidral is a member of the American Association for
the Advancement of Science; the American Associate of Dental Research; the American Association of Orthodontists; the American
Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association; the American Dental Association; and the American Society of Human Genetics. Dr. Lidral's
professional appointments include being an ad-hoc reviewer for the following journals: American Journal of Human Genetics;
Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal; Developmental Biology; Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology; Journal
of Craniofacial Genetics and Developmental Biology; and Journal of Medical Genetics.
Dr. Andrew Lidral
©2008 The
University of Iowa College of Dentistry