Research Areas

The Merrill Lab studies how the craniofacial skeleton develops as an integrated system. Using human genetics as a starting point, we uncover developmental mechanisms underlying craniofacial disease and tissue repair.

Human genetic disorders provide a powerful starting point for discovering genes and developmental mechanisms that shape the craniofacial skeleton. We investigate genes and variants implicated in congenital craniofacial disorders and use cellular and mouse models to understand their roles in skeletal development. By connecting human genetic findings with developmental biology, we aim to uncover fundamental mechanisms of craniofacial development and gain insight into the genetic basis of rare disorders.

The craniofacial skeleton contains diverse populations of connective tissue cells whose developmental origins, molecular identities and functions remain incompletely understood. We use single-cell and spatial genomic approaches together with mouse genetics to define these cell populations and determine how cell identity is established during development. A major focus is understanding how distinct connective tissue populations are patterned and promote formation of an integrated skeletal system.

A functional skeleton depends on precise connections among bone, cartilage, tendon, ligament and other connective tissues. We investigate how these interfaces are established during development, with particular emphasis on craniofacial joints and tendon- and ligament-to-bone attachments. Our studies seek to identify the cells and molecular signals that coordinate development across tissue boundaries and determine how disruption of these mechanisms contributes to congenital skeletal disorders.

Development and tissue repair share many cellular and molecular processes, yet the extent to which developmental programs are reused following craniofacial injury remains poorly understood. We investigate how cells that establish skeletal tissues during development respond to injury later in life and whether developmental mechanisms are reactivated during repair. By studying development and repair together, we hope to uncover principles that may ultimately inform new approaches to improving craniofacial healing.