28 Mar 2012

The largest ever research programme into cleft lip and palate will bring huge potential benefit to patients around the world, say scientists speaking at the project’s launch on Tuesday.

Cleft is one of the most common congenital abnormalities in the world, affecting 1,200 children born in the UK every year, but little is known about its causes, with opinion divided on best treatments.

The £11 million, five-year programme – called The Cleft Collective – is the single biggest investment in cleft research anywhere in the world and will draw on expertise from across the UK. The Healing Foundation charity will be providing £5 million towards the project, with additional funding coming from university and NHS partners.

The Universities of Manchester and Bristol will lead the programme, in partnership with the Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, the NIHR Medicines for Children Research Network Clinical Trials Unit at the University of Liverpool and the University of the West of England.

In Manchester, researchers will run a programme of clinical studies, while in Bristol scientists will host a cleft gene bank and cohort study.

Professor Bill Shaw, lead researcher for the Manchester team, said: “Even today, we neither know the cause of cleft nor the best approaches to treatment. Here in Manchester we will be coordinating a nationwide programme of research in order to improve the treatments available and reduce the burden of care on children and their families. The benefits of our collaborative work will be felt by patients and their families worldwide.”

Acting Chief Executive of The Cleft Lip and Palate Association (CLAPA) Sue Carroll added: “We at CLAPA welcome this new and exciting research programme which, over the next five years, will provide huge insights into cleft lip and palate. We urge as many people as possible nationwide to get involved.”

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