Genetic and functional research strategies of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate in the post genome-wide association study era.

The emergence of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) has greatly promoted the genetic research of non-syndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate (NSCL/P). There have been more than 40 regions concerning NSCL/P identified by GWAS, whereas specific susceptible loci and their potential function remains unclear. In the post-GWAS era, precise localization of susceptible loci in candidate regions and exploration of underlying biological mechanism will contribute to further understanding of genetic etiology of NSCL/P. The present article reviewed the genetic and functional research strategies of NSCL/P in post-GWAS era.