Understanding how specific fats in skin affect barrier function and skin diseases.
Official title: Sphingolipid Biosynthesis in the Healthy and Diseased Epidermal Barrier
Funded at Virginia Commonwealth University · NIH-10981643 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how certain fats in your skin, called ceramides, help keep your skin healthy and how they change in conditions like atopic dermatitis, so we can better understand skin health and find new ways to help people with this common skin issue.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Virginia Commonwealth University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Richmond, United States) |
| Project start | July 1, 2024 |
| Project end | June 30, 2029 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $706,710 |
| NIH project number | 1R01AR083443-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10981643 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals of all ages suffering from atopic dermatitis or related skin disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients with skin conditions unrelated to epidermal barrier dysfunction may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the role of unique sphingolipid ceramides in the skin's outer layer, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy epidermal barrier. It aims to understand how these ceramides are altered in conditions like atopic dermatitis, a common skin disorder. By genetically modifying the expression of specific proteins involved in ceramide production, the researchers will explore how these changes impact skin health. The study will utilize advanced techniques, including organoid cultures and animal models, to gain insights into skin barrier function.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new treatments for skin conditions like atopic dermatitis by restoring or enhancing the skin barrier.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promising results in understanding skin barrier function and its relation to skin diseases, indicating that this approach has potential for success.
Where this research is happening
-
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wattenberg, Brian W. — Virginia Commonwealth University
- Study coordinator: Wattenberg, Brian W.
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.