Investigating genetic mechanisms in atopic eczema (and related conditions) – to design better treatments Section Head: Genetic and Experimental Medicine Professor Sara Brown Professor and Group Leader Contact details Email: sara.brown@ed.ac.uk Academic Roles Grant Chair of Dermatology and Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellow in Clinical Science, University of EdinburghHonorary Consultant Dermatologist, NHS LothianCo-Director, Edinburgh Clinical Academic Training scheme Research in a Nutshell Sara is a clinical academic dermatologist, caring for patients of all ages with a range of skin diseases, including specialist clinics for eczema and genetic skin disease. Sara’s research focusses on understanding how a person’s genetic make-up (their DNA) predisposes them to atopic eczema and associated systemic conditions. The research team working in Sara Brown’s lab uses human skin cells to create a skin organoid model which can be precisely manipulated to investigate specific molecular genetic effects. These studies are informed by genome-wide and population-based research with international collaboration. The Brown lab is also researching gene-environment interactions, to address important questions regarding why eczema has increased in prevalence in recent decades. Human cells are also used to screen drugs and drug-like compounds for their effects on skin.The ultimate aim of Sara’s work is to define molecular targets for the development of new treatments and prevention strategies for people affected by eczema, dry skin (ichthyoses) and related allergic conditions. Group External Website People NameRole Sara BrownProfessor and Group LeaderMartina EliasResearch FellowLuke JohnstonPostdoctoral Research AssociateEleanor EarpECAT PhD StudentSilvia ShenMRC Precision Medicine PhD StudentEmily MortimerMRS PhD StudentNicola LyttleResearch TechnicianLauren KellyDermatology Research CoordinatorAndrii LakovlievCross-Disciplinary Postdoctoral Fellow (XDF) Key Publications Sara Brown Research Explorer Profile Collaborations Sara is an affiliate of the Centre for Inflammation ResearchSara is an affiliate of the Usher InstituteMRC/UKRI-funded UK Molecular Mechanisms Cluster, EdinburghAlex von Kriegsheim, Mass Spec Core, IGC, EdinburghSally Lowell, Centre for Regenerative Medicine, EdinburghWilson Poon and David Moore, School of Physics and Astronomy, EdinburghBeverley Hood, Edinburgh College of ArtLavinia Paternoster, University of BristolCatherine Smith, Kings College LondonMatthew Ridd, University of BristolMarie Loh - LKC/NYU, SingaporeEdinburgh skin research network (Ed-SKIN)SKINTEGRITY research networkEuropean Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) Partners and Funders Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship in Clinical ScienceScotPEN Wellcome Engagement AwardBiomarkers in Atopic Dermatitis and Psoriasis (BIOMAP)European Lead Factory – ELF/IMI - Innovative Medicines InitiativeNIHR HTA award – in collaboration with the University of BristolRosetrees Trust and The Stoneygate Trust – in collaboration with the University of BristolCharles Wolfson Charitable TrustMedical Research ScotlandMRC Impact Accelerator AwardNational Eczema SocietyMRC/AZ/University of Cambridge Functional Genomics Screening LabAnonymous philanthropic donors Scientific Themes Genetics, genomics, dermatology, atopic eczema, genetic epidemiology, environment, organoid model, transcriptomics, phenotypic screen, proteomics Disease Areas Eczema (also called atopic dermatitis), allergies, genetic skin disorders, dry skin conditions (ichthyoses) This article was published on 2024-09-23