Action Medical Research – the leading UK children's charity – has today
announced grants worth more than £1.2 million for top researchers
across the country.
The charity is celebrating its anniversary in 2012 by marking
60 years
of funding which has led to some key scientific breakthroughs. The new
grants have been awarded to research institutes at universities and
hospitals investigating conditions affecting babies and children.
In this latest round of funding, the charity has given out a total of
£1,218,929 across nine different projects including research for
children with Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, asthma and cystic fibrosis:
Down syndrome and obstructive sleep apnoea: better screening might stop unnecessary suffering,
two years, £199,752 granted to researchers at University Hospital
Southampton, Evelina Children’s Hospital, London and Sheffield
Children’s Hospital.
Developing treatments for the rare genetic disorder Smith-Lemil-Opitz syndrome, three years, £173,809 awarded to researchers at Cardiff University. Lead Researcher: Dr Emyr Lloyd-Evans, Cardiff University
Microneedle technology for pain-free drug monitoring in new born babies, two years, £94,154 awarded to researchers at Queen’s University Belfast. Lead Researcher: Dr Ryan Donnelly, Queen’s University Belfast
Does fungal infection contribute to the severity of asthma in children?
two years, £133,642 awarded to researchers at University of Leicester,
Leicester Royal Infirmary and Glenfield Hospital, Leicester. Lead
Researcher: Dr Erol Gaillard, University of Leicester
Management of kidney complications in children with sickle cell disease,
two years, £91,290 awarded to researchers at the University of
Cambridge, University of Oxford and King’s College Hospital, London.
Lead Researcher: Dr John Gibson, University of Cambridge
Thyroid function screening during pregnancy: benefits for child development? two years, £107,853 awarded to researchers at Cardiff University Lead Researcher: Professor Marian Ludgate, Cardiff University
Upper limb rehabilitation for children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy,
two years, £109,372 granted to researchers at the Newcastle University
and The Newcastle upon Tyne NHS Hospitals Foundation Trust. Lead
Researcher: Professor Janet Eyre, Newcastle University
Reassessing lung function of pre-school children with cystic fibrosis,
two years, £135,693 awarded to researchers at the Institute of Child
Health, University College London and Royal Brompton Hospital, London.
Lead Researcher: Dr Paul Aurora, University College London
Understanding the genetic basis of childhood ataxias,
three years, £173,364 awarded to researchers at The John Radcliffe
Hospital, Oxford. Lead Researcher: Dr Andrea Nemeth, John Radcliffe
Hospital, Oxford
None of our work would be possible without the generosity of people who
make donations, raise funds and take part in events, as well as our
trust and corporate partners.
Dr Caroline Johnston, Research Evaluation Manager, says: “At Action
Medical Research we are determined to stop the suffering of babies and
children caused by disease and disability. We know that medical research
can save and change children’s lives. The charity finds and funds some
of the best medical research in the world for the benefit of babies,
children and young people.”
“Our gold standard scientific review process ensures that we only fund
the best doctors and researchers in children’s hospitals, specialist
units and universities across the UK and we are delighted to announce
our latest grant awards.”
Action Medical Research funds a total of approximately £3 million worth
of research grants every year, awarded in the summer and autumn, the
charity also awards Research Training Fellowships annually.
