Understanding how skin cells respond to stress signals
Official title: Epigenetic regulation of epidermal proinflammatory responses
Funded at Massachusetts General Hospital · NIH-10933033 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how skin cells react to stress from the environment and how they quickly turn on certain genes to help them cope, with the goal of finding new ways to treat skin problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Massachusetts General Hospital NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | September 22, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $404,975 |
| NIH project number | 5R56AR082402-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10933033 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with cutaneous disorders or those experiencing skin inflammation.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with non-inflammatory skin conditions or those not affected by environmental stressors may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the mechanisms by which skin cells, specifically keratinocytes, respond to environmental stressors. It focuses on how these cells can quickly activate genes that help them cope with challenges, using a dynamic process involving chromatin changes. The study aims to understand the role of specific protein complexes in regulating gene expression during stress and how these processes are reversed once the stress is resolved. By examining these cellular responses, the research seeks to uncover potential therapeutic targets for skin-related disorders.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for skin conditions that involve inflammatory responses.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding cellular responses to stress, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Massachusetts General Hospital
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Georgopoulos, Katia — Massachusetts General Hospital
- Study coordinator: Georgopoulos, Katia
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.