“Our laboratory focuses on obtaining a better knowledge of the genetic and cellular pathways involved in cleft lip and palate,” said Degen. “However, we are convinced that 3D models established from healthy immortalized lip cells have the potential to be very useful in many other fields of medicine.”

“One challenge is that lip keratinocytes can be of labial skin, mucosal, or mixed character,” he added. “Depending on the research question, a particular cell identity might be required. But we have the tools to characterize or purify these individual populations in vitro.”