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ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The IRM Program in Epithelial Stem Cells and Regeneration works closely with Penn’s department of dermatology. The program identifies genes that control epithelial stem cells — the cells that differentiate to become skin and hair — with the goal of being able to restore these tissues as needed.

INNOVATIVE RESEARCH

The program seeks to:

  ♦ Isolate proteins important for normal skin development and develop them as new treatments to regenerate skin and treat damaged
    skin and wounds
  ♦ Bioengineer skin, teeth, corneas, mucous membranes, salivary glands, sweat glands and other associated tissues to replace tissue lost
     through injury or cancer treatment
  ♦ Manipulate adult stem cells in the tissue to replenish aged and defective cells for healthy skin and hair
  ♦ Pioneer laser and growth factor treatments for skin rejuvenation

ADVANCEMENTS IN MEDICINE

The program is rooted in years of leading-edge discoveries in epithelial stem cells and regeneration made at Penn including:  discovery and isolation of stem cells in hair follicles, which are responsible for hair growth; discovery of stem cells in the corneas of eyes, which transformed the way cornea transplants are performed to treat certain types of blindness; identification of key factors important for skin regeneration, hair growth and wound healing; regeneration of hair follicles from isolated adult stem cells; and demonstration of normal stem cell numbers in male pattern baldness, leading researchers to focus on other factors that may cause baldness.

	“Stem cell research is critical to developing new skin tissues and, ultimately, changing the way we care for devastating wounds.”
	George Cotsarelis, M.D., Director, IRM Program Epithelial Stem Cells and Regeneration and Albert M. Kligman Professor of Dermatology.  Dr. Cotsarelis discovered the stem cells in the cornea, which transformed the way cornea transplants are used to treat certain types of blindness.