Gene-Environment Interactions in Birth Defects and Developmental Disorders, Volume 152, covers the multifactorial etiology of a variety of developmental disorders, including orofacial clefts, fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, autism, and others. The causes of individual cases of most common birth defects are unknown but likely involve a combination of genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. How these risk factors interact in the genesis of these conditions is still largely unknown and readers will find the latest information and ideas on these disorders, along with discussion of the challenges and opportunities for furthering knowledge in this area.

Approximately three percent of newborn humans have congenital anomalies with significant cosmetic and/or functional consequences. Much of our ability to understand what has gone awry in these birth defects rests with development of animal models for them; the mouse has emerged as the model organism of choice for these studies. This volume reviews mouse models of specific developmental genetic diseases, including neural tube defects; cleft lip and/or palate; congenital heart disease; ciliopathies; hereditary deafness and others to provide conceptual insight into congenital anomalies generally. The interplay between clinical observation and murine model systems is expected to yield deep insight into mammalian developmental processes and the emergence of effective preventive and/or therapeutic strategies.
* Provides busy clinical and basic science researchers a one-stop overview and synthesis of the latest research findings and contemporary thought in the area
* Allows researchers to compare and contrast disease models and also to learn about what models have been developed for large-scale distribution
* Allows researchers to evaluate basic differences in mouse and human biology and propose alternate pathways and possible gene interactions of the disease