Cleft palate is a congenital condition that occurs when the tissues of the roof of the mouth do not join together properly during foetal development. Although the exact cause is unknown, it's believed to result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Cleft palate repair involves a complex surgical procedure aimed at reconstructing the palate to improve speech, feeding, and overall quality of life. The healing process following cleft palate surgery is crucial and can be influenced by several factors, including those derived from the surgical process itself but also from the individual healing process (genetics, excessive tissue tension, infection, inflammation, etc).
Multiple genetic studies in individuals affected by cleft palate have identified several susceptibility genes, including IRF6, MSX1, SATB2, TBX22, COL2A1, FBN1, PCGF2, KMT2D, MYC, PTCH1, VAX1, SPRY2, NOG, MAFB and TAF1B, among others.
To facilitate the understanding of the genetic architecture and gain a better understanding of the genetic basis underlying cleft palate, we will look into the DNA of ALSPAC participants that codes the proteins, to identify variants in genes associated with cleft palate disorders. Then we will investigate if those variants have an impact on the manifestation of traits related with wound healing, such as levels of markers involved in the immune system and inflammatory processes.