Research

Our skin is rich in immunological organs as well as home to billions of healthy bacteria. Our skin immune system in tandem with these microbes helps keep our skin healthy, promoting key functions such as wound healing and hair growth. Conversely, many skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema, and autoimmune skin disease result from increased or inappropriate activation of our skin immune system. This can be due to a fundamental change in the immune system as well as to inappropriate responses to skin bacteria. At UCSF Dermatology, we are interested in understanding the basic principles of how the skin immune system works to support skin health, as well as the specific mechanisms that go awry in skin diseases, as these might provide new opportunities for treatment. Likewise, we aspire to understand how the skin microbiome interfaces with our immune system in these instances. Our research in these areas spans basic research to clinical trials, all with a long-term goal of harnessing this knowledge to promote skin health and treat inflammatory skin disease