Pilot & Feasibility Studies Program

As one of the major goals of the Skin Diseases Research Center is the recruitment of new investigators into the field of cutaneous biology and investigative dermatology, the Pilot and Feasibility Studies are a central activity of the SDRC. We have received a broad range of applications dealing with diverse aspects of cutaneous biology. A significant effort was made to identify innovative projects from established investigators who are interested to use the skin as a model system for their ongoing studies or those of the talented young investigators at early stages in their careers, both outside the Department of Dermatology, as well as within. However, it is important to emphasize that the central goal of the Pilot and Feasibility Studies Program was to identify and fund research programs of the highest quality, in particular, programs that are likely to evolve into independent research projects, funded by external sources, that will allow us to gain insight into skin biology.

2008-2009 PILOT & FEASIBILITY GRANT AWARD RECIPIENTS

"Epithelial Specific Knock-Out of the Plakin, MACF1."

Ronald Leim, Ph.D., Pathology

"Delivery of RNA-Based Therapeutics to Human Keratinocytes."

Konstantin Petrrukhin, Ph.D., Ophthalmology

"The Role of c-myb in Epidermal Proliferation and Differentiation."

Andrew Engelhard, Ph.D., Dermatology

"DNA Damage and Repair in Adult Skin Stem Cells: Implications for Skin Cancer."

Adayabalam Balajee, Ph.D., Radiological Research

"Mechanisms of Staphylococcus Aureas Invasion Through Skin."

Alice Prince, Ph.D., Pharmacology