Genes which determine human facial expressions identified

Scientists have identified five genes that determine the human facial expressions.

Researchers used magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and portrait photographs to map facial features.

They argued that monozygotic twins have almost identical faces and siblings usually have more similar faces than unrelated people, implying that genes play a major role in the appearance of the human face.

However, almost nothing is known about the genes responsible for facial morphology in humans.

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The study used head magnetic resonance images together with portrait photographs to map facial landmarks, from which facial distances were estimated.

Researchers then applied a genome-wide association (GWA) approach, with independent replication, to finding DNA variants involved in facial shapes in almost 10,000 individuals.

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