Our Research

 

Genetic disruption of skin development and differentiation is responsible for diseases that affect >20% of the population. We use primary skin cells, human skin organoids, and xenograft models to decipher the genomic regulators and molecular pathways that govern skin development and disease. We integrate laboratory and patient-originated approaches. Some of our current interests include:

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• Determining the function of non-protein coding genomic elements in the skin with a focus on non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs).

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• Discovering new disease-causing genetic mutations in the coding and non-coding genome and understanding their molecular mechanisms. We have a particular interest in subjects with genetic mosaic skin conditions.

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• Understanding the genetic and epigenetic impacts of medications on the skin.

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Our core experimental toolset includes genome editing (CRISPR/Cas9 and CRISPR screens); human skin organoids; mammalian tissue culture; and genomics approaches including RNA-, ATAC-, ChIP/CUT-and-RUN seq, and whole exome/genome sequencing.