Kwon Lab

Hyuk-Jae (Edward) Kwon, DDS, PhD, is an associate professor in the Department of Oral Biology. Dr. Kwon is a dentist-scientist with a dual-degree background (DDS and a PhD in dental and craniofacial development). His research centers on the genetic and epigenetic regulation of mammalian dental and craniofacial development, with a particular focus on the molecular mechanisms underlying congenital dental and orofacial anomalies. His research is currently supported by the National Institutes of Health (NIDCR R01; NIDCR R03; NIDCR R21).

The Kwon Lab investigates the molecular mechanisms that regulate tooth and craniofacial development, with a particular focus on how transcription factors, developmental signaling pathways, and chromatin regulators coordinate epithelial–mesenchymal interactions during organogenesis. Using mouse genetics, molecular biology, and advanced genomic approaches — including RNA-seq, CUT&RUN-seq, and single-cell multiome profiling — we seek to define the pathways that drive normal development and to uncover the mechanisms underlying pathological craniofacial conditions.

• Jung-Mi Lee, PhD, research scientist, volunteer research assistant professor
• Hunmin Jung, research technician
• Bruno Pasqua, BDS, MS, PhD student, research project assistant
• Victor Yuan, BS, MS student, research project assistant
• Hongda Wang, BS, research project assistant

• Transcriptional control of enamel organ development by ΔNp63. Using ΔNp63 knockout mice and single-cell multiomics to define how p63 directs enamel organ cell fate specification and differentiation. This work elucidates the molecular basis of enamel dysplasia resulting from p63 dysfunction.
• Epigenetic regulation of palatogenesis by MLL4/KMT2D. Investigating how the MLL4 complex controls signaling pathways and transcription factor networks required for palate formation and midpalatal suture development. Mll4 knockout models and genomic analyses reveal mechanisms underlying cleft palate, midfacial hypoplasia, and other Kabuki syndrome–associated craniofacial defects.
• MLL4-dependent mechanisms of enamel development. Defining how MLL4 activates enhancer programs and ameloblast differentiation genes during enamel formation. Conditional epithelial knockouts combined with RNA-seq and CUT&RUN-seq uncover pathways underlying amelogenesis imperfecta.
• MSX1 regulation of tooth morphogenesis through Wnt signaling. Demonstrated that MSX1 drives early tooth development by controlling Wnt antagonist expression. Genetic interactions involving Dkk2 and Sostdc1 reveal mechanisms that rescue bud-to-cap stage morphogenesis in Msx1-deficient mice.

Location: 547 Biomedical Research Building U
Laboratory Phone: 716-829-6301
Email: hekwon@buffalo.edu