Since 1991, Sparks has funded numerous groundbreaking research projects into a wide range of conditions. These include spina bifida, childhood cancers, juvenile arthritis, infant brain damage, club foot and the risks associated with premature birth.
Our pioneering projects are carried out at leading hospitals and universities throughout the UK and continue to have a significant impact on breakthroughs and new treatments being used by doctors all over the world.
Vitamin B8 could prevent spina bifida study finds
Women at risk of carrying babies with spina bifida and other neural tube defects may benefit from taking inositol, also called vitamin B8, alongside folic acid during pregnancy, suggests research from a team at the UCL Institute of Child Health.
Low cost & accurate test could help diagnose rare childhood cancers
A non-invasive, low cost blood test that could help doctors diagnose some types of rare childhood cancers has been developed by researchers at the University of Cambridge and Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge University Health NHS Foundation Trust.
Childhood brain tumours research leads to £4 million programme
Professor Clifford’s ground breaking work supported by Sparks successfully led to securing a large £4 million collaborative programme of work.
Sparks funded Tay-Sachs research leads to clinical trial
With the help of the results from this Sparks-funded project, Professor Cox and Dr Begoña Cachón secured a major grant of £2.6 million from the MRC. The Medical Research Council are set to invest £2.6 million to allow researchers to start a clinical trial to test this new therapy.
Vaccinations against Pneumococcal infection
A Sparks-funded research project is now bringing doctors closer to developing an affordable vaccine, which could save thousands of children’s lives around the world every year.
Childhood Arthritis Response to Medication Study (CHARMS)
The Sparks CHARMS is the largest multi dimensional study of response to treatment in childhood arthritis in the world to date.
Detecting and monitoring treatment for genetic energy metabolism diseases
The work of Professor Taylor’s team has become best practice in UK laboratories, and this diagnostic approach is now used in many hospitals.
Early evening colic and sleep patterns in babies
Dr Harrison found that babies who were good sleepers tended to be exposed to twice as much light between noon and 4 pm compared to the poor sleepers.
Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome
Sparks pioneering research into Twin-Twin Transfusion Syndrome has resulted in improved outcome for identical twins.
Clubfoot – understanding the genetic and environmental causes
The research grew into the largest international study of clubfoot in the world, with more than 850 participating families.
Premature babies and pain
Sparks funding led to a major government investment into research to improve treatment for thousands of infants in intensive care.
Detecting developmental abnormalities in unborn babies
The research project funded by Sparks has paved the way for the development of an MRI-compatible incubator for newly born babies in intensive care.