What controls differences in human skin and hair color
Official title: Epigenetic and transcriptional mechanisms driving human pigmentation diversity
Funded at University of Oklahoma · NIH-11129724 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying how gene switches and DNA packaging control melanin production to explain why people have different skin and hair colors.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Oklahoma NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Norman, United States) |
| Project start | September 1, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $373,297 |
| NIH project number | 5R35GM151086-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11129724 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal participants would be people willing to donate skin samples, melanocytes, or DNA, especially those with hypo- or hyperpigmentation conditions.
✕Less likely to help
People seeking immediate medical treatment for pigment disorders should not expect direct or immediate benefit because this is basic research.
What this research studies
This project looks inside human pigment cells to find the genes and epigenetic marks that turn melanin production up or down. The team used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to discover new candidate genes and will study how KLF transcription factors change pigment gene activity. They combine human genetic data, cell experiments, and molecular assays to map the mechanisms that cause normal color variation and disease risk. The goal is a detailed map of the molecular controls over melanogenesis.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could reveal targets for diagnosing or treating pigmentation disorders and improve understanding of normal skin and hair color differences.
How similar studies have gone: Previous GWAS and genetic studies in humans and mice have identified pigmentation genes, but applying genome-wide CRISPR screens to find regulatory factors like KLFs is a newer approach.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Oklahoma
Norman, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bajpai, Vivek Kumar — University of Oklahoma
- Study coordinator: Bajpai, Vivek Kumar
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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.