Investigating the role of hair follicles in skin health and diseases

Exploring hair follicle-associated functions in normal and ichthyotic skin

NIH-funded research University of Michigan at Ann Arbor · NIH-11061240

This study is looking at how hair follicles help keep our skin healthy and protect it, especially in people with harlequin ichthyosis, a serious skin condition, to find out how they might affect issues like acne and other skin problems, which could lead to better treatments in the future.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Michigan at Ann Arbor NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Ann Arbor, United States)
Project IDNIH-11061240 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores how hair follicles contribute to the skin's barrier function and overall health. By using specially engineered mice, the study examines the effects of a specific lipid transporter mutation associated with harlequin ichthyosis, a severe skin condition. The researchers aim to understand how hair follicles interact with the skin and influence conditions like acne and other skin disorders. This work could lead to new insights into skin health and potential treatments for related diseases.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with harlequin ichthyosis or other skin disorders related to hair follicle function.

Not a fit: Patients with skin conditions unrelated to hair follicles may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for skin conditions like ichthyosis and acne.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding skin barrier functions, but this specific focus on hair follicles is relatively novel.

Where this research is happening

Ann Arbor, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.