To identify novel genetic variants causing skeletal dysplasia in Qatari populations and to additionally develop an understanding of how those variants influence skeletal biology at a molecular and cellular level.~Achieving this goal will be split into two aims:~Aim 1: Perform a clinical characterization of a study group of patients with various forms of skeletal dysplasia seen in pediatric orthopedics clinic at Hamad Medical center, HMC. This will be followed by whole exome or genome sequencing and analysis to search for novel pathogenic variants responsible for the clinical presentation of these patients~Aim 2: The genes and variants identified in Aim 1 will be characterized to determine their effects on osteoblast and chondrocyte differentiation and function.~All the subjects will be recruited from the pool of patients seen by the Pediatric Orthopedic Consultants at the Bone and Joint Institute. Subjects will be coming to the clinic for their standard care. They will be identified during that visit as candidates for the study. They will then be told about the study by their physicians. If a patient is interested in participation, the physician will introduce the CRC to him/her who will proceed with the consent process.~Consenting and the study procedures might be performed during that same visit if time allows, or in a new scheduled visit arranged at that time.~This research will also involve a pedigree creation. Secondary subjects (family members or relatives) will be told about the study by the research subject. The secondary subject will be able to read a copy of the consent form, think of his participation, and if interested they will be told to contact the Investigators. A suitable time will then be arranged, by an appropriate member of the research team, for the secondary subject to visit the clinic in order to proceed with the consent process and the study procedures.
Identify novel genetic variants causing skeletal dysplasia in Qatari populations and to additionally develop an understanding of how those variants influence skeletal biology at a molecular and cellular level.