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Project

Aetiological Genetic and Occupational Risk factors for Anomalies in children (AGORA)

The AGORA project orofacial cleft (OFC) started in Jan 2010 with the aim to elucidate the etiology of (non-)syndromic OFC (nsOFC). To this end, parents of children with OFC, visiting the Leuven multi- and interdisciplinary cleft team, were invited to participate in this research project. This research collaboration is supported by staff from the departments of ENT, Human Genetics, MFS and Oral Health Sciences. Parents of children with an OFC, wishing to participate in AGORA, consent to donate blood (from themselves and from their child, at a necessary surgical procedure), in order to search for causative genetic factors in the DNA, extracted from their blood samples. In case of participation, the parents also consent to fill in a questionnaire (Q), in which life style factors in the periconceptional period are also questioned, as well the occurrence of OFC or other congenital disorders in their families. The majority of enrolled individuals present with a non-syndromic form of OFC. When a familial form - with multiple affected family members – is identified from the Qs, these members will also be asked about their willingness to participate. We are fortunate to work closely together with people with excellent expertise in the Leuven Centre for Human Genetics (Prof. Devriendt), the dept of Human Genetics in Nijmegen (prof. Brunner), and at the Center for Mendelian Genomics (prof Lupski, at Baylor College, Houston, Texas). (ref, AGORA,van Rooij et al, Birth Defects Res A Clin Mol Teratol. 2016;106(8):675-84)  

Date:1 Oct 2010 →  28 Feb 2021
Keywords:medische technologie, Humane gezondheid, biowetenschappen
Disciplines:Genetics, Systems biology, Molecular and cell biology, Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences