As a trained DDS and Pediatric Dentist, Dr. Clarissa Fontoura’s research focuses on investigating the genetic contributors for both normal and abnormal phenotypic variation within the craniofacial complex. Dr. Fontoura`s current research leverages quantitative and qualitative phenotypic data to learn more dental and craniofacial morphology as it relates to malocclusion, dental anomalies and non-syndromic cleft lip and palate. More specifically, her research objectives include characterizing dento-facial phenotypes to investigate the relationships between genotype and phenotype in the dento-facial complex. She collaborates with a diverse group of colleagues across universities in Brazil and United States. During her Master’s program in Medical Science in Brazil, she conducted research in the field of craniofacial genetics, with a focus on nonsyndromic cleft lip and palate patients. For her PhD work at University of Iowa, Dr. Fontoura investigated genetic variants that contribute to the development of malocclusion phenotypes. The studies conducted included experiments using human genetic techniques such as SNP arrays, craniofacial phenotypic characterization of 2D and 3D images via coordinate landmark analysis and geometric morphometric approaches, experiments with animal models, as well as cell and molecular biology experiments including cloning, cell culture, transfection and reporter assays. This area of research represents an important step towards identifying key biological components underlying dento-facial phenotypes and promoting more accurate diagnosis and more effective dental treatments.

Selected Publications: 

Zhao Sun, Clarissa S. G. da Fontoura, Myriam Moreno, Nathan E. Holton, Mason Sweat, Yan Sweat, Myoung Keun Lee, Jed Arbon, Felicitas B. Bidlack, Daniel R. Thedens, Peggy Nopoulos, Huojun Cao, Steven Eliason, Seth M. Weinberg, James F. Martin, Lina Moreno-Uribe, Brad A. Amendt. FoxO6 regulates Hippo signaling and growth of the craniofacial complex. PLoS Genet. 2018 Oct; 14(10): e1007675. PMCID: PMC6197693.              

Weaver CA, Miller SF, Fontoura CSG, Wehby GL, Amendt BA, Holton NE, Allareddy V, Southard TE, Moreno Uribe LM. Candidate Gene Analyses of 3D Dento-Alveolar Phenotypes in Individuals with Malocclusion. AJO, March 2017; 151(3): 539–558. (PMC Journal-In Process- NIHMSID: 850258).

Fontoura CSG, Miller SF, Wehby GL, Amendt BA, Holton NE, Southard TE, Allareddy V, Moreno Uribe LM. Candidate Gene Analyses of Skeletal Variation in Malocclusion. J Dent Res. Jul, 2015; 94(7): 913-20. PMCID: PMC4530344

Fontoura C, Silva RM, Granjeiro JM, Letra A. Association of WNT9B gene polymorphisms with nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in a Brazilian Population. Cleft Palate Craniofac J. Jan, 2015; 52(1): 44-8. PMCID: PMC4102668

Fontoura C, Silva RM, Granjeiro JM, Letra A. Further Evidence of Association of ABCA4 with Cleft Lip/Palate. Eur J Oral Sci. Dec, 2012;120(6):553-7. PMCID: PMC4438764.