Genotyping

This project compares the genetic samples held in the Cleft Collective Gene Bank with the DNA of mothers and their children recruited to the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to pinpoint whether there are specific genes responsible for cleft lip and palate. The study will also shine light on how environmental factors, such as smoking, alcohol intake and diet increase the risk of a child being born with a cleft by using genes instead of the environmental factors themselves. This will help inform preventative measures in the future.