We are very proud of the research that we have funded so far at Great Ormond Street and St Andrews Centre, Chelmsford. Research has been carried out in genetics, speech therapy, orthodontics and surgery. We continue to make headway into understanding why clefts occur including a recent breakthrough in genetics (see the FOXF2 Gene Discovery report). The Research Steering Group met recently to look at which new research projects CLEFT should fund. We will update the website with our research news as it develops further.
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Repair of a cleft of the lip leaves a scar, and nearly always some visible difference in appearance of the lip such as asymmetry. Such differences in appearance can cause significant distress so it is important that surgery results in the ‘best’ outcome possible. This research project being carried out by a team in Newcastle looks at how success can be measured using eye-tracking. Read more
This pioneering research using artificial intelligence is an exciting new project currently being undertaken at the Birmingham Children's Hospital. Read more
Ms Patricia Rorison, Consultant Plastic and Cleft Surgeon at Great Ormond Street Hospital, is currently leading a new research project into the efficacy of a procedure used in the treatment of speech problems in children with both cleft and non-cleft velopharyngeal function. Read more
This is a project currently being undertaken by Dr Lucy Southby, Senior Research Associate at the Bristol Speech and Language Therapy Research Unit. The project title is: 'Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the early speech and language development of children born with cleft lip and/or palate.' Read more
As part of CLEFT's launch to become a CIO, Debbie Sell recorded 'Reflections on research in speech and language therapy'. This is a wonderful opportunity to hear from one the country's most recognised researchers in speech and language therapy share her thoughts on this fascinating subject. Read more
Chair of the CLEFT Research Steering Group, Rona Slator, is interviewed here by Tracy Morris on the value of research into cleft lip and palate. Read more
We are delighted to update you on the launch of the Speech@Home website – a unique online cleft therapy and parent training resource for children with cleft articulation difficulties. Read more
The American Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal reviewed literature on palate re-repair for the treatment of velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) and cited the Sommerlad Protocol and Palate Repair technique of VPI as being very beneficial to patients with an 84% success rate. Read more
Research that CLEFT funded shows how a pioneering surgical technique results in a very low rate of secondary speech surgery and very good speech outcomes in children aged 5 years of age, with less need for speech therapy. Read more
We are delighted that the website Speech@Home is now available. Read more
Early on in his career as plastic surgeon, CLEFT Chairman Mr Brian Sommerlad realised that operating techniques could be improved upon and in 1993, he started to use a microscope for surgery. Read more
A project to better understand the way the muscles of the soft palate work to see if improvements can be made to surgical techniques and reduce the need for further operations and speech therapy. Read more
Investigations into the genetics of cleft lip and palate to understand more about why cleft lip and palate occurs. Read more
CLEFT has funded research into the investigation of a gene called the TBX22 that regulates important development events during normal palate function, in order to find new treatments. Read more
This important research looked at using MRI to assess whether further surgery could improve speech for people with repaired clefts. Read more
The Parent Led Articulation Therapy (P.L.A.T) project has been looking at improving speech outcomes for children by enabling parents to help their children with cleft palate speech difficulties. Read more
A genetic defect has been identified in a family from Egypt with a type of palate abnormality and speech disorder apparently not previously described. The FOXF2 research is one of the many projects currently funded by CLEFT, paid for with money raised by our donors and fundraisers. Read more