Understanding how skin cells mutate in response to sun exposure
Official title: The mutational mechanisms shaping melanocytes in human skin
Funded at University of California, San Francisco · NIH-10990512 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how skin cells that give us our color can get damaged by the sun, which might help explain why melanoma skin cancer happens more often in certain areas of the body, like the back and shoulders, and it’s for anyone interested in understanding how to better protect their skin from sun damage.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project start | February 17, 2023 |
| Project end | November 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $393,718 |
| NIH project number | 5R01AR080626-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10990512 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with varying levels of sun exposure and those concerned about skin cancer risk, particularly melanoma.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have already been diagnosed with advanced melanoma may not benefit directly from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how melanocytes, the cells responsible for skin pigmentation, accumulate mutations due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. It aims to understand why melanoma, a serious skin cancer, occurs more frequently in areas of the body that receive intermittent sun exposure, like the back and shoulders, compared to areas with continuous exposure, such as the head and neck. By comparing the mutation patterns in melanocytes from different body sites, the researchers hope to uncover mechanisms that could slow down mutation accumulation and potentially reduce melanoma risk. This study involves cataloging somatic mutations in skin cells and exploring their evolutionary adaptations to UV exposure.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new strategies for melanoma prevention and treatment by identifying ways to reduce mutation rates in skin cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding skin cancer mechanisms, but this specific approach to studying melanocyte mutations is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Francisco
San Francisco, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Shain, Alan Hunter — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: Shain, Alan Hunter
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.