This study shows that computationally designed proteins can template and confine hydroxyapatite mineralization, providing a framework for programmable protein-guided mineralization.

bioRxiv · Jul 8, 2026 · PreprintBiochemistry

Identification of functional non-coding variants associated with orofacial cleft

Priyanka Kumari, Ryan Z. Friedman, Sarah W. Curtis, Lira Pi, Kitt D. Paraiso, Axel Visel, Lindsey Rhea, Martine Dunnwald, Anjali P. Patni, Daniel Mar, Karol Bomsztyk, Julie Mathieu, Hannele Ruohola‐Baker, Elizabeth J. Leslie, Michael A. White, , Robert A. Cornell

This study identifies functional non-coding variants associated with orofacial cleft by combining GWAS, reporter assays, and stem cell modeling.

Nature Communications · Jul 16, 2025Peer-reviewedGenetics

Designed Soluble Notch Agonist Drives Human Ameloblast Maturation for Tooth Regeneration

Anjali P. Patni, Rubul Mout, Rachel Moore, Ammar Alghadeer, George Q. Daley, David A. Baker, Julie Mathieu, Hannele Ruohola‐Baker

The paper demonstrates that a designed soluble Notch agonist can drive iAM maturation without odontoblast contact, revealing DLX3's role in ameloblast-specific Enamelin and MMP20 expression.

bioRxiv · Apr 3, 2025 · PreprintDevelopmental Biology

High incidence and geographic distribution of cleft palate cases in Finland are associated with a regulatory variant in IRF6

Fedik Rahimov, Pekka Nieminen, Priyanka Kumari, Emma Juuri, Tiit Nikopensius, Kitt D. Paraiso, Jakob German, Antti Karvanen, Mart Kals, Abdelrahman G. Elnahas, Juha M Karjalainen, Mitja Kurki, Aarno V. Palotie, Arja Heliövaara, Tõnu Esko, , David P. C. Rice

The paper identifies a regulatory variant in IRF6 associated with increased cleft palate risk in Finland and shows it disrupts IRF6 enhancer function.

medRxiv · Jul 9, 2024 · PreprintGenetic & Genomic Medicine