Gillian Air  /  Sanjay Bidichandani  /  Robert Broyles
Paul DeAngelis  /  Bryan Fuller  /  Jay Hanas  /  Martin Levine
Guangpu Li  /  Jialing Lin  /  Hiroyuki Matsumoto  / Blaine Mooers /  Ann Louise Olson 

Karla Rodgers  /  Robert Steinberg  /  Leon Unger  /  Paul Weigel   

Christopher West  /  James Wyche  /  Adam Zlotnick

Current Research Areas

    1.  Identification of the signaling pathways involved in hormonal (cAMP) stimulation of

         melanogenesis in human melanocytes.

    2.  Characterization of the molecular basis for differences in racial skin pigmentation and

         the mechanism of action of UV radiation in stimulating pigmentation in human

         melanocytes.

    3.  Characterization of signaling pathways involved in inflammation, and development of

         “bioactive” therapeutic topical products to treat inflammatory dermatology diseases.

To understand how peptide hormones, acting through cAMP, regulate gene expression, we are using a hormone-responsive melanoma cell culture model system. These cells respond to MSH (melanocye stimulating hormone), or to cAMP, by demonstrating increased melanin synthesis. This increase is the result of a cAMP-mediated activation of the gene for tyrosinase, the rate-limiting enzyme for melanin production. Studies are being carried out to identify the hormone-sensitive trans-acting factors which control tyrosinase gene expression.

A second major research effort in my laboratory is directed toward understanding how human pigmentation is regulated. People with highly pigmented skin have high levels of tyrosinase, while fair-skinned individuals have low levels of enzyme activity. Studies are being carried out to characterize the molecular processes which control the level of tyrosinases in different skin types. By determining how tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis are regulated in human skin, we can begin to develop skin care products which can stimulate melanin production (tanning) in fair-skinned individuals who cannot tan and thus, are at high risk for developing skin cancer. One such product is now in the development stages.

A third research effort is directed toward characterizing the inflammatory processes triggered by exposure of skin to UV irradiation, to investigate the role of inflammatory mediators in dermatological diseases, and to identify both synthetic and natural compounds that can be used topically to treat inflammatory conditions and to prevent and treat skin cancers.

Recent Publications:

Fuller BB, Pilcher BK, Smith DR. 2004: “Gene Array Technology and the Search for Cosmeceutical Actives” in Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series: Volume 4: Cosmeceuticals Elsevier, publisher, chapter 31.

Smith DR, Spaulding DT, Glenn HM, Fuller BB. 2004: The Relationship between Na⁺/H⁺ Exchanger Expression and Tyrosinase Activity in Human Melanocytes. Exp Cell Res  298: 521-534.

Draelos ZD, Fuller BB. 2005:  Efficacy of 1% 4-Ethoxybenzaldehyde in Reducing Facial Erythema. Am Soc Dermatol Surg. 31: 881-885.

Home     Graduate Programs     Departmental Information     Faculty
Departmental Directory     Seminars     Major Facilities     Employment Opportunities     Intranet