CLINICAL DYSMORPHOLOGY BEYOND DEVELOPMENTAL GENETICS - RECENT ADVANCES IN SOME HUMAN DEVELOPMENTAL GENES

Dysmorphology is involved in abnormal development, genetic causes and embryological development. The clinical studies of dysmorphic syndrome s must lead to the identification and analysis of developmental genes involved in normal and abnormal morphogenesis. The identification of d ifferent genes fi om various gene families involved in dysmorphogenesi s has recently emerged. The authors review the recent advances in some human developmental gene families (PAX, FGFR, BMP genes). These genes often act as patterning genes and as possible oncogenes; they are of interest for developmental biologists and for medical geneticists.