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  1. EB Research
  2. Current projects

Our research projects

DEBRA UK is the largest UK funder of EB research, awarding grants to researchers with expertise in the scientific and medical fields most relevant to families living with EB.

Our portfolio of research projects includes preclinical laboratory work, research into gene and cell therapies and drug repurposing, as well as projects driving a change in symptom relief for wound healing and cancer therapy. 

The research we fund is world class, and that’s because we don’t just fund UK scientists and clinicians but the best in the world. Many of the projects we fund combine knowledge and skill from researchers at multiple research sites in the UK and internationally.

Psoriasis tablets repurposed for EBS

Psoriasis tablets repurposed for EBS

Dr Christine Chiaverini, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, France Read more

Published: 21st January, 2021

Updated: 10th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Sequencing EBS genes

Sequencing EBS genes

Dr Laura Valinotto, CEDIGEA, University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Read more

Published: 21st February, 2021

Updated: 13th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

'Biofilms' delay EB wound healing

'Biofilms' delay EB wound healing

Dr Josefine Hirschfeld, University of Birmingham, UK Read more

Published: 15th March, 2021

Updated: 20th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Simplified genetic testing for all EB types

Simplified genetic testing for all EB types

Dr Ene-Choo Tan, KK women's & Children's Hospital, Singapore Read more

Published: 24th March, 2021

Updated: 21st November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Gene editing 'patches' to repair RDEB gene

Gene editing 'patches' to repair RDEB gene

Dr Sergio López-Manzaneda, Fundación Jiménez Díaz, CIEMAT, Spain Read more

Published: 15th July, 2021

Updated: 17th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Treating JEB with laminin protein

Treating JEB with laminin protein

Dr Matthew Caley, Queen Mary University London (QMUL), UK Read more

Published: 3rd August, 2021

Updated: 16th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

DEB cancer and mouth wound healing

DEB cancer and mouth wound healing

Dr Inês Sequeira, Queen Mary University, London, UK Read more

Published: 3rd August, 2021

Updated: 21st November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Repurposing statins for RDEB skin cancer

Repurposing statins for RDEB skin cancer

Dr Roland Zauner, EB House, Austria Read more

Published: 4th August, 2021

Updated: 27th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Improving delivery of RDEB gene therapy

Improving delivery of RDEB gene therapy

Dr Ángeles Mencía, CIEMAT, Spain Read more

Published: 15th August, 2021

Updated: 23rd November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Improved blister treatment for EBS

Improved blister treatment for EBS

Prof John Connelly, Queen Mary University, London, UK Read more

Published: 25th August, 2021

Updated: 24th October, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Nanoneedle wound study in RDEB

Nanoneedle wound study in RDEB

Prof John McGrath, London, UK Read more

Published: 15th September, 2021

Updated: 16th October, 2023

Author: Tilda Kusmishko

Eye drops for all types of EB

Eye drops for all types of EB

Prof Liam Grover, University of Birmingham, UK Read more

Published: 25th September, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Screening drugs to target RDEB cancer

Screening drugs to target RDEB cancer

Prof Gareth Inman, Glasgow, UK Read more

Published: 1st October, 2021

Updated: 5th January, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Reducing DEB/JEB eye scarring

Reducing DEB/JEB eye scarring

Prof Keith Martin, University of Melbourne, Australia Read more

Published: 3rd October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Abigail Witherden

Wound healing in all types of EB

Wound healing in all types of EB

Dr Ajoy Bardhan and Professor Adrian Heagerty, Birmingham, UK Read more

Published: 6th October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Cannabinoid treatment for all EB pain and itch

Cannabinoid treatment for all EB pain and itch

Prof Wolff and Dr Bolling, Groningen, Netherlands Read more

Published: 6th October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

KEB and skin cancer

KEB and skin cancer

Prof Valerie Brunton, Edinburgh, UK Read more

Published: 8th October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Understanding airway disease in JEB

Understanding airway disease in JEB

Dr Colin Butler, GOSH, UK Read more

Published: 10th October, 2021

Updated: 6th January, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

RDEB skin cancer

RDEB skin cancer

Prof Gareth Inman, Glasgow, UK Read more

Published: 13th October, 2021

Updated: 6th January, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Repurposing anti-scarring drugs in RDEB

Repurposing anti-scarring drugs in RDEB

Dr Daniele Castiglia, Rome, Italy Read more

Published: 17th October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Scarring in RDEB

Scarring in RDEB

Prof Giovanna Zambruno, Rome, Italy Read more

Published: 18th October, 2021

Updated: 9th May, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Immune system involvement in RDEB (2023)

Immune system involvement in RDEB (2023)

Dr Yanling Liao, NYMC, USA Read more

Published: 19th October, 2021

Updated: 24th October, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Skin microbiome of all EB types (2023)

Skin microbiome of all EB types (2023)

Prof Iain Chapple, Birmingham, UK Read more

Published: 19th October, 2021

Updated: 9th November, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

Spray on RDEB gene therapy (2022)

Spray on RDEB gene therapy (2022)

Dr Su Lwin, London, UK Read more

Published: 20th October, 2021

Updated: 26th January, 2023

Author: Kat Heppinstall

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Latest

  • Dine with DEBRA lunch aboard the Fingal, Edinburgh raises £20,000

    Dine with DEBRA lunch aboard the Fingal, Edinburgh raises £20,000

    We’re thrilled to announce our dine with DEBRA lunch aboard the floating Fingal hotel in Edinburgh has raised £20,000 towards our A Life Free of Pain appeal.

  • Your feedback is vital

    Your feedback is vital

    We welcome your feedback. Please let us know if you have any suggestions for improvements to our EB information. We’d also love to hear from you if you think we are doing something well.

  • DEBRA Fight Night 2023, hosted by Frank Warren, raises over £180,000

    DEBRA Fight Night 2023, hosted by Frank Warren, raises over £180,000

    We're delighted to announce that our annual Fight Night event has raised over £180,000 to help #FightEB, making it DEBRA's most successful Fight Night in 15 years!

  • DEBRA SLT members meet with Jennie Minto and Bob Dorris at Scottish Parliament

    DEBRA SLT members meet with Jennie Minto and Bob Dorris at Scottish Parliament

    We took a further step on our government campaigning journey today (Wednesday 22nd November) with a meeting held at the Scottish parliament with Jennie Minto MSP for Argyll and Bute and Minister for Public Health and Women's Health in Scotland, and our meeting sponsor, Bob Dorris, MSP for Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn.

Most read

  • Find a store

    Find a store

    Find your nearest DEBRA charity shop and help fight EB. Our stores sell affordable and quality pre-loved clothing, furniture, electrical items, books, homeware and more.

  • Furniture collection

    Furniture collection

    Donate your unwanted furniture, homewares and electrical items using our free furniture collection service. With safety measures in place, donating your items couldn’t be easier.

  • Items we do not sell

    Find out what health and safety standards and labels we require and which items we cannot sell.

  • Graeme Souness swimming the English Channel  to raise £1.1m to stop the pain of EB

    Graeme Souness swimming the English Channel to raise £1.1m to stop the pain of EB

    Graeme Souness, ex-international footballer, manager, and pundit, is swimming the English Channel this June to raise £1.1m to stop the pain of epidermolysis bullosa (EB).

  • What is EB?

    What is EB?

    Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a painful genetic skin blistering condition with no cure. Find out about different types of EB, causes, symptoms and treatments.

  • Contact Us

  • Donate items

    Donate items

    Donate your quality pre-loved items, including clothes, furniture and homeware to keep them from landfill and help us to raise vital funds through our stores. Find out more about how to donate items today.

  • Work with us

    Work with us

    DEBRA can only continue its vital work with the support and encouragement of the local community and with the hard work of its employees and volunteers.

  • Imagine your skin being in constant pain? No one should have to live like this

    Imagine your skin being in constant pain? No one should have to live like this

    Imagine a dozen surgeries in less than a decade? No one should have to live like this. Please help us find treatments to #StopThePain.

  • Become a member

    Become a member

    If you or a family member live with EB, are a carer or someone who works with people affected by EB, then you can become a DEBRA member. Find out how.

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