Current Research and Scholarly Interests
Developing gene therapy for genetic skin diseases in children is a major focus of the Department of Dermatology. Specifically our efforts are on correcting the cutaneous basement membrane zone defects in epidermolysis bullosa. This requires coordination of the basic research and clinical care. Prior to developing gene therapy, we are creating better methods to give effective and efficient care to infants and children with rare and disabling genetic skin diseases including epidermolysis bullosa and ichthyosis. We are focused on giving comprehensive skin care in an environment that is supportive for the individual families as well as the communities of families with similar diseases. Additional programs are being developed for infants and children with unusual and difficult to manage vascular malformations by coordinating teams of specialist who are focused on developing better methods to care for infants and children with these conditions.
I am also interested in clinical studies within the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which include methods to understand the physiology and function of premature infant skin which is extremely fragile, easily injured and traumatized. We are interested in the ability of topical applications of products to protect and heal the premature infants skin.
Ambulatory clinical studies include efforts to improve care of infants and children with atopic dermatitis. Clinical trials in other childhood skin diseases are also done.
