Some of you will know that there currently is in an extensive study of the causes of cleft and how clefts can be prevented from occurring. The HRB are one of a number of organisations involved in this ‘trans-Atlantic’ research. Many of you will remember the two-year drive that the HRB conducted to collected samples from Ireland. Over 1,000 families participated by filling in questionnaires and providing ‘buccal’ samples.
The HRB have been in touch recently to let us know how the next phase of the study is going but first they wanted once again to thank all of the families that have taken part. Following the physical collection phase the next task was to “anonymise” the data and then carry out a high level analysis. Both of these tasks are complete and now the study team is zoning in to pursue a small number of genes. Realistically this will take quite some time. At the end the genes in question will either be ‘eliminated’ from enquiries or they will lead to further study.
The HRB have committed to come back to us when the research findings are published which will probably be at the end of this year or early next year. We wish everybody involved success and look forward to the next progress report.
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