Ignatia B. Van den Veyver, M.D.

 

Dr. Van den Veyver's lab has focused on the X-linked neurodevelopmental disorders Aicardi and Goltz syndromes, identifying the underlying mutations and characterizing their functional effects through translational research combining the study of patients, cell culture and animal models. Her lab also investigates the epigenetic regulation of developmental programs, including various forms of hydatidiform moles, a serious placental abnormality caused by global defects in imprinting. Understanding the causes of this disease will help unravel the mechanisms that establish imprinting at the earliest stages of development and how disruption of imprinted gene function leads to childhood neurodevelopmental disorders. 

As a practicing specialist in maternal-fetal medicine and prenatal genetics, Dr. Van den Veyver also has a keen interest in understanding how maternal diet, medications and environmental exposures at sensitive times for brain development can alter epigenetic states (by changing DNA methylation patterns, for example) of genes in utero or in the perinatal period, setting the stage for later problems. Her laboratory currently studies these processes in mouse models, including moue models of autism. 
Dr. Van den Veyver also collaborates with investigators in the Department of Molecular and Human Genetics on developing and applying new technologies such as array comparative genomic hybridization for prenatal genetic testing of developmental disorders. 
Her clinical practice as Director of Prenatal and Reproductive Genetics in the Texas Children's Pavilion for Women creates abundant opportunities to translate her research from bench to bedside and vice versa.