Skull Base Synchondroses in Craniofacial Development

Context

Skull base synchondroses are cartilaginous growth plates that play a critical role in craniofacial development. Their dysregulation is central to conditions like achondroplasia, yet their biology and biomechanics remain poorly understood.

Approach

This project uses a multimodal, multiscale strategy:

• Molecular: RNAscope and immunofluorescence to map cell population markers
• 3D Imaging: Whole-mount LightSheet microscopy on cleared mouse specimens
• Biomechanics: Ex vivo mechanical stimulation of mouse skull bases
• Clinical: Human atlas from fetal period to end of growth

Both control and achondroplasia models are investigated at each scale.