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  • research-projects
  1. Research
  2. Research projects

Research projects

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.

If you would like to make a gift of a donation to our research fund, please click the button below.

Donate to our research fund

Reflections on research in speech and language therapy

Reflections on research in speech and language therapy

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

Published: 7th July, 2021

Updated: 7th October, 2021

Author: Melanie Baldwin

The value of research to cleft professionals and patients

The value of research to cleft professionals and patients

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

Published: 1st July, 2021

Updated: 21st April, 2022

Author: Melanie Baldwin

Comments: 2

Speech@Home UPDATE

[email protected] UPDATE

We are delighted to update you on the launch of the [email protected] website – a unique online cleft therapy and parent training resource for children with cleft articulation difficulties. Read more

Published: 20th April, 2021

Updated: 15th November, 2021

Author: Melanie Baldwin

VPI Paper in Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal

VPI Paper in Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal

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

Published: 27th August, 2020

Updated: 30th September, 2021

Author: Melanie Baldwin

New paper published in the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

New paper published in the Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal

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

Published: 4th June, 2020

Updated: 9th June, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

Speech@Home now launched!

[email protected] now launched!

We are delighted that the website [email protected] is now available. Read more

Published: 19th May, 2020

Updated: 27th October, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

Pioneering use of the operating microscope

Pioneering use of the operating microscope

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

Published: 29th April, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

Soft palate muscles research

Soft palate muscles research

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

Published: 4th October, 2019

Updated: 4th June, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

The genetics of cleft lip and palate

The genetics of cleft lip and palate

Investigations into the genetics of cleft lip and palate to understand more about why cleft lip and palate occurs. Read more

Published: 4th October, 2019

Updated: 17th April, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

Comments: 1

TBX22 Mouse Model

TBX22 Mouse Model

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

Published: 4th October, 2019

Updated: 20th April, 2020

Author: Melanie Baldwin

MRI Speech Assessment

MRI Speech Assessment

This important research looked at using MRI to assess whether further surgery could improve speech for people with repaired clefts. Read more

Published: 2nd October, 2019

Updated: 20th January, 2022

Author: Melanie Baldwin

P.L.A.T. project

P.L.A.T. project

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

Published: 1st October, 2019

Updated: 21st April, 2022

Author: Melanie Baldwin

FOXF2 gene discovery

FOXF2 gene discovery

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

Published: 1st October, 2019

Updated: 31st March, 2021

Author: Melanie Baldwin

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Showing 10 of 13

Latest

  • Gillian McCarthy

    CLAPA Representative

  • David and Andrew's Lake Windermere challenge

    David and Andrew's Lake Windermere challenge

    CLEFT trustee, David Sainsbury, and his brother Andrew, are preparing for a new challenge: to swim 18km across the length of Lake Windermere in the Lake District. We asked David a few questions about this impressive challenge so read here to see what he says...

  • Andrew and David's Windermere End to End Swim Fundraiser

    Andrew and David's Windermere End to End Swim Fundraiser

    To fundraise for the amazing CLEFT charity, Andrew and I have taken on the challenge together to swim the length of Lake Windermere (10.5 miles / 18 km) on Saturday, 16 July 2022.

  • Call for Research Proposals

    Call for Research Proposals

    CLEFT invites researchers to submit high quality proposals for research grants of up to a maximum of £50,000. Proposals should focus on either clinical or basic science questions relevant to the charity’s research objectives.

Most read

  • Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery

    Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery

    We are working with Bangladeshi specialists at the new Sheikh Hasina National Institute of Burns and Plastic Surgery to create a sustainable centre to treat children with cleft lip and palate.

  • Our mission

    Our mission

    CLEFT was established in 2007 with one aim, to help improve the lives of children born with cleft lip and palate, either by funding research into the likely causes of the condition or by helping support teams in lower and middle income countries.

  • Donate

    Donate

    You can donate or sign up to a regular donation to help us plan for the future.

  • Brian Sommerlad, Consultant Plastic Surgeon and Chair of Trustees

    For over 40 years, I have been involved in operating on babies, children and adults who have been born with cleft lip and/or palate.

  • The Great Bristol Run 2022

    The Great Bristol Run 2022

    This is an exciting half marathon race through Bristol and is CLEFT's first year taking part.

  • Nawrin and the C-Arm

    Nawrin and the C-Arm

    This important piece of equipment was supplied by CLEFT and is used to see moving images of the cleft palate. Nawrin is a 13 year old girl who was experiencing speech difficulties and needed the C-Arm to show the cleft team if further surgery was required.

  • The genetics of cleft lip and palate

    The genetics of cleft lip and palate

    Investigations into the genetics of cleft lip and palate to understand more about why cleft lip and palate occurs.

  • An interview with Brian Sommerlad

    An interview with Brian Sommerlad

    This is a wonderful interview where the children ask the questions.

  • About us

    About us

    CLEFT was established in 2007 by cleft surgeon Brian Sommerlad - based at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, together with a former patient and a patient's grandmother.

  • Volunteer

    Volunteer

    If you would like to volunteer, please complete the short form below and we will get back to you within 24 hours to discuss how you can help.

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[email protected]

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