Cleft lip and palate is one of the most common birth defects in the world. Approximately 1 out of every 1000 children born are affected.[1] Many genes have been studied, however, there has been only limited success in determining the exact loci that have give rise to this phenotype. The gene CLPTM1 (Cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1) has been identified as a candidate gene for cleft lip and palate. [2] However, there has also been evidence that this gene has no association with oralfacial clefts. [3] The CLPTM1 gene family, which includes CLPTM1 and CLPTM1L (Cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1- Like) has been associated with other diseases such as cancer. This project aims to study the structure and function of these two genes.