"It's an exciting challenge to help produce a database that brings together biochemical, molecular, genetic and imaging findings related to human facial and skull development," Dr. Murray said. "FaceBase will essentially create a 'how-to' manual of all the instructions that are needed to properly develop the mid-face, which includes the nose, upper lip and palate, or roof of the mouth."

Development of the FaceBase portal and database will be in collaboration with co-investigator Michael Becich, M.D., Ph.D., chairman of the Pitt Department of Biomedical Informatics. A prototype is expected to be ready within the next year followed by a fully functioning portal and database soon thereafter. FaceBase will be free and publicly accessible to the scientific community.

Source: University of Pittsburgh Schools of the Health Sciences