The skin is our body’s largest organ and our first line of defense against pathogens, UV radiation, and environmental stress. We develop skin-relevant models to study rare genetic disorders that impair the skin’s ability to protect or repair itself. These conditions can cause severe skin fragility, chronic wounds, and an increased risk of cancer. By understanding how these diseases develop, we seek to reveal the underlying mechanisms and translate scientific discoveries into better outcomes for patients.
reNEW research
In the Raymond Lab, we use induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to create skin models in the laboratory that closely resemble human skin, containing its different cell types and structures. These models allow us to study rare genetic skin diseases, such as xeroderma pigmentosum and epidermolysis bullosa, and understand how disease-causing mutations affect the skin at the cellular level. The deeper our understanding of these diseases, the closer we come to developing treatments that better meet patients’ needs.
Image description
Keratinocytes stained for nuclei, basal markers and proliferation; accidental drift created scattered dots.
Credits
Charlotte De Henau, PhD student, Karine Raymond, Raymond lab, reNEW Leiden.
