By performing gene-expression studies in snake embryos I built a solid hypothesis for the evolution of snake venom-conducting fangs (Nature, 2008), and identified a major evolutionary transition underlying the massive radiation of advanced snakes.
Based on the data obtained I put forward a new model for the evolution of snake fangs: a posterior sub-region of the tooth-forming epithelium became developmentally uncoupled from the remaining dentition, which allowed the posterior teeth to evolve independently and in close association with the venom gland, becoming highly modified in different lineages.