Clinical and Basic Research
The Department of Dermatology provides the opportunity for each resident to enrich his or her training program by involvement in an original research project. Under the direction of the Research Committee, each program is individualized so that the resident may select either a basic science or clinical research topic compatible with individual interests and skills. Basic research in cutaneous biology includes the areas of cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, immunodermatology, and pathology which are conducted in well-equipped modern facilities in the Department of Dermatology, or in the laboratories of other members of the faculty of the School of Medicine. The faculty members who head these laboratories have contributed widely to the scientific literature in their respective fields.
Some current clinical research activities include the epidemiology and biochemistry of epidermolysis bullosa, and the development of new therapeutic regimens for control of this disease.
The Department of Dermatology has a centralized Clinical Trials Unit where the safety, efficacy, and/or pharmacokinectics of new therapies are explored. Additional departmental strengths are in investigations of fetal skin biology, pediatric dermatology, wound healing, connective tissue biology, and cutaneous oncology.