Genetics
obviously play a key role in your facial appearance. Identical twins
look alike, siblings usually bear a resemblance to each other and
countless children have been told they have at least one of their
parents' features. But until earlier this month, we had very few leads
in finding which genes determine facial appearance.
In a study using 10,000 participants, researchers from the Nether
lands,
Germany, the UK, Canada and Australia uncovered 5 genes that determine
facial shape. Portrait photographs and head images (taken using MRI
techniques) were combined to map facial landmarks and then estimate
distances between them. The next step was to conduct genome-wide
association (GWA) - a process that searches for small genetic variations
that appear more often in those with certain facial types.
Of
the 5 genes uncovered - PRDM16, PAX3, TP63, C5orf50, and COL17A1 - 3
had already been implicated in studies regarding vertebrate craniofacial
(head/skull and face) development and disease. Out of these three, one
had appeared involved in a facial morphology study with children. The
two other genes (C5orf50 and COL17A1) were not known to have any role in
facial development.
As first results go, this is very
exciting. This is an area where so much is unknown - these findings mark
the beginning of a genetic understanding of the human face. As Manfred
Kayser, lead researcher on this study, put it, "The most surprising
thing is that we did find genes. To ever actually reach the level to
start to understand the human face - I would not have imagined it eight
years ago."
Photo credit: Yuri Arcurs/Fotolia.
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Genetics
obviously play a key role in your facial appearance. Identical twins
look alike, siblings usually bear a resemblance to each other and
countless children have been told they have at least one of their
parents' features. But until earlier this month, we had very few leads
in finding which genes determine facial appearance.
In a study using 10,000 participants, researchers from the Nether
In a study using 10,000 participants, researchers from the Nether
lands,
Germany, the UK, Canada and Australia uncovered 5 genes that determine
facial shape. Portrait photographs and head images (taken using MRI
techniques) were combined to map facial landmarks and then estimate
distances between them. The next step was to conduct genome-wide
association (GWA) - a process that searches for small genetic variations
that appear more often in those with certain facial types.
Of the 5 genes uncovered - PRDM16, PAX3, TP63, C5orf50, and COL17A1 - 3 had already been implicated in studies regarding vertebrate craniofacial (head/skull and face) development and disease. Out of these three, one had appeared involved in a facial morphology study with children. The two other genes (C5orf50 and COL17A1) were not known to have any role in facial development.
As first results go, this is very exciting. This is an area where so much is unknown - these findings mark the beginning of a genetic understanding of the human face. As Manfred Kayser, lead researcher on this study, put it, "The most surprising thing is that we did find genes. To ever actually reach the level to start to understand the human face - I would not have imagined it eight years ago."
Photo credit: Yuri Arcurs/Fotolia.
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
Of the 5 genes uncovered - PRDM16, PAX3, TP63, C5orf50, and COL17A1 - 3 had already been implicated in studies regarding vertebrate craniofacial (head/skull and face) development and disease. Out of these three, one had appeared involved in a facial morphology study with children. The two other genes (C5orf50 and COL17A1) were not known to have any role in facial development.
As first results go, this is very exciting. This is an area where so much is unknown - these findings mark the beginning of a genetic understanding of the human face. As Manfred Kayser, lead researcher on this study, put it, "The most surprising thing is that we did find genes. To ever actually reach the level to start to understand the human face - I would not have imagined it eight years ago."
Photo credit: Yuri Arcurs/Fotolia.
http://www.livescience.com/
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/
http://www.sciencedaily.com/
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