Researchers studying the common genetic disorder chromosome 22q.11 deletion syndrome have identified key proteins that act together to regulate early embryonic development. One protein is essential to life; in animal studies, embryos without the protein do not survive past the first few days of gestation. While not currently affecting treatments for the disease, the findings shed light on the biological events that give rise to chromosome 22q.11 deletion syndrome, which often includes congenital heart defects.