There are 22 different variations of EB and it is only through medical research that we will find a successful treatment for EB.

Currently funded DEBRA Ireland research grants

NUIG, Galway

• A Novel Treatment for Wound Healing in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa
• A Biodegradable Nanoshell for Targeted Gene Delivery of Type VII Collagen

The Galway researchers are investigating ways to enhance the ability of the skin to heal itself and are also investigating the potential use of microscopic shells (nanoshells) to carry therapeutic drugs to the skin and internal linings of EB patients.

Trinity College Dublin

• Exploration of Therapeutic Approaches for Epidermolysis Bullosa

This research is investigating strategies to correct the detrimental genetic changes which bring about the disorder in EB patients.

Barts and the London Centre for Cutaneous Research

• Why does Absent Type VII Collagen Expression in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa patients lead to Altered Signal Transduction and Metalloproteinase (MMP)/Serine Proteinase Expression Which Facilitates Tumour Progression and/or Invasion?
• Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma
• Inhibition of Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Signaling in Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The research being carried out in these projects is aimed at trying to understand why patients with Recessive Dystrophic EB are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer.

Stanford University, USA

• Molecular therapy for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa associated squamous cell carcinoma

The research ongoing in Stanford is investigating the possible use of antibodies in a therapy for skin cancer in Recessive Dystrophic EB patients.

But we can’t stop there….the race is on to both save lives as well as reduce the pain and disability of EB. We are looking to fund further research and welcome applications from suitably qualified, interested parties for grants. All grants are allocated on the basis of a rigorous, competitive peer review process. Applications from investigators in any of the disciplines of EB research are eligible for consideration. Applications from multi-institutional groups, networks of researchers or co-operative projects are particularly welcome, as are single institution applications. For further information, please contact Avril.

Click here to read our guidelines on good research practice

Research Costs

Yearly research cost: €546,000 per annum

Daily Research Cost: €1000 per day

Estimated cost of standard research project: €90,000 per annum