Research in the Trainor laboratory focuses on the role of neural crest cells in vertebrate development, evolution and disease. We seek to understand the mechanisms that regulate neural crest cell formation, migration, and differentiation and to apply this basic knowledge to better understand the etiology and pathogenesis of birth defects as well as develop therapeutic avenues for their prevention. We are particularly interested in craniofacial development and currently study neurocristopathies such as Treacher Collins syndrome, Acrofacial Dysostosis - Cincinnati type, cleft lip and palate, and Syngnathia. However we also study the roles of neural crest cells in congenital disorders of the heart and gastrointestinal tract, such as persistent truncus arteriosus and Hirschsprung disease respectively. We use mouse and zebrafish as our primary genetic models, but also utilize chameleons, chickens and lizards in our experimental studies.