Understanding how skin regions maintain their unique characteristics
Official title: Molecular mechanisms controlling skin heterogeneity
Funded at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai · NIH-11075565 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study looks at how different parts of your skin keep their special features, like color and thickness, as you grow, using samples from mice to find out what genes and factors are involved, which could help us understand how skin heals and reacts to problems.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project start | August 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $102,218 |
| NIH project number | 3R01AR081322-03S1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11075565 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals over 21 years old who may have skin conditions or are interested in skin health.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with skin conditions unrelated to the mechanisms of skin heterogeneity being studied may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the molecular mechanisms that allow different regions of the skin to retain their unique characteristics, such as thickness and pigmentation, throughout a person's life. By examining skin samples from both developing and adult mice, the researchers aim to identify specific genetic and epigenetic factors that contribute to skin heterogeneity. The study employs advanced techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing and ATAC sequencing to analyze the chromatin structure and gene expression in various skin regions. This could lead to a better understanding of how skin responds to injury and disease.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments for skin conditions and better wound healing strategies.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in understanding skin characteristics through genetic and epigenetic studies, suggesting that this approach could yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
New York, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Millar, Sarah E. — Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
- Study coordinator: Millar, Sarah E.
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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.