Hope for skin disorder children

The new centre was opened thanks to funds from Debra

Researchers in Dundee are set to trial a new treatment for children struck with a deadly skin disorder.

Youngsters who suffer from Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB) will be invited to attend a treatment centre in Ninewells Hospital.

The genetic disorder, which affects 5,000 people across the UK, has no cure and causes sufferers' skin to become extremely delicate.

Scientists hope to trial genetically- altered skin to treat patients.

The new treatment centre is to be opened thanks to funds from Debra, the charity which works to help those with EB.

Life expectancy

In severe forms the condition can be agonising and can shorten a patient's life expectancy.

Until now sufferers have had to wear "skin suits" or protective bandages to prevent infection and injury.

However, dramatic developments in recent years have improved knowledge of the condition and how it might be treated.

Funding from the charity means international expertise will be brought under one roof at the new Clinical Research building at the Dundee hospital.

Scientists at the new centre hope they will be able to grow genetically-altered skin and transplant it back onto children who suffer from EB.

The technique has been developed as part of a range of new treatments.

Researchers hope to begin trials of the new treatments within the next year.