 When The Sturge-Weber Foundation was founded in 1987, not much was known about port wine birthmarks, Sturge-Weber syndrome and Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome. Today, we know more, however, there is still much to learn.
"To wrest from nature the secrets which have perplexed philosophers in all ages, to track to their sources the causes of disease, to correlate the vast stores of knowledge, that they may be quickly available for the prevention and cure of disease-these are our ambitions." - Sir William Osler
What is Translational Research?
Translational research is when biological insights are gained through basic research and transformed into products that improve human health. Some of these products might include genetic tests, molecular biomarkers, and therapeutic treatment options. The Sturge-Weber Foundation is engaging in translational research with the SWS Project of the Brain Vascular Malformation Consortium (BVMC) by doing genetic studies and looking into potential biomarkers.
The majority of genetics research has focused on improving our understanding the biology of genes and genomes. This research has laid the foundation for future research by understanding the underlying biological causes of disease.
Capitalizing on these advances in our knowledge of fundamental human biology will require an increase in translational research in the years to come. Improving human health outcomes, community involvement and advocacy leadership will be crucial for translational research to succeed. We need an army of volunteers to make these advances a reality in our lifetime. Please join the SWF when the call to action is sent to you...one person truly can make a difference!
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