Research - why is it so important?
The funding of research into the cause and possible treatment of Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is one of DEBRA's main goals.
DEBRA UK and DEBRA Austria are currently the largest providers of EB research funds of all of the national DEBRAs around the world, and are members of DEBRA International. A great deal of progress has been made over recent years in understanding EB as a result of DEBRA funded research. DEBRA International manages a centralised research-grant assessment process on behalf of all of the national member groups. This enables funding to be concentrated on the best research most likely to lead to improved treatments, and coordinated to avoid unnecessary and expensive duplication of research effort.
DEBRA's current research priorities are:
- biology and genetics of all forms of EB, as better understanding can lead to new approaches to treat EB
- development of therapies, including possible gene-therapies, cell-therapies, drug therapies or protein therapies
- wound healing and skin cancer in EB
- management of EB through clinical research
In May 2009 a feature on research carried out by Prof. John McGrath was shown in the UK on Channel 4 News. Watch the report
Research Updates 2009 in different languages:
