2023 UM-SBDRC Annual Symposium

The UM Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (UM-SBDRC) hosted its 4^th Annual Symposium on March 2, 2023at Kahn Auditorium at the Biomedical Science Research Building.

Open to the University of Michigan and skin research community, keynote speaker Elizabeth A. Grice, Ph.D. spoke on “Skin Microbiome: Risk and Reward for Barrier Integrity and Repair”. Dr. Grice is the Sandra J. Lazarus Associate Professor in Dermatology, and Associate Professor of Microbiology at the University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine. Dr. Grice's lab integrates genomics, microbiology, dermatology, and immunology to examine host-microbe interactions of the skin in health and disease. Learn more about the Grice Lab. 

Symposium presentations also highlighted ongoing research sponsored by UM-SBDRC Pilot and Feasibility funding, and offered highlighted the UM-SBDRC Skin Genes Query, an online genomic database available to Center members.

Supported by a NIH NIAMS P30 award, the UM Department of Dermatology and Medical School, the UM-SBDRC fosters new and established investigators in their pursuit of innovative skin research. Those interested in cutting edge skin research are invited to join us at an upcoming Speaker Series lecture and to learn more about the Center’s resources and members.

2023 Symposium Agenda:

7:30am-10:30am - Breakfast and Poster set-up in the Kahn Seminar Rooms

• Welcome & Overview

8:00 - 8:05 am – Johann E. Gudjonsson, M.D., Ph.D.

8:05 – 8:20 am - Alex Tsoi, PhD, Matthew Patrick, Ph.D., Rachael Wasikowski: “Functional Analytics Core & Skin Genes Query”

• Research Updates: UM-SBDRC PILOT AWARDS

8:20 – 8:30 am - Tom Kerppola, Ph.D.: “Transcription moderation of inflammatory responses in fibroblasts”

8:30 – 8:40 am - Eliza Tsou: “CaMKII in scleroderma fibrosis”

8:40 – 8:50 am - Lisa Abernathy: “Investigating the role of dermal fibroblasts in cutaneous lupus pathogenesis”

8:50 – 9:00 am - Masanori Matsumoto, Ph.D.: "Understanding the role of neutrophils in S. aureus-induced skin inflammation"

9:00 – 9:10 am - Olesya Plazyo, Ph.D.: “Characterizing the role of IL-7 signaling in SLE”

9:10 – 9:20 am -  Pilot Q&A

• Present & Future Research Initiatives (Part 1)

9:20 - 9:40 am - Mrinal Sarkar, Ph.D.: “Secrets of Keratinocytes: Unfolded by CRISPR”

9:40 - 10:40 am - Break & Research Posters in Kahn Seminar Rooms (in-person only)

• Keynote Address 
• 10:40 - 11:40 am – Elizabeth A. Grice, Ph.D.: “Skin microbiome: Risk and reward for barrier integrity & repair”
• Present & Future Research Initiatives (Part 2)

11:40 – 11:55 am - Gary Fisher, Ph.D. & Taihao Quan, Ph.D.: “Mouse Models of Dermal Aging”

11:55 - 12 noon - Closing Remarks & Poster Awards

12 pm–1:00 pm – Lunch/Social gathering and seating in 2nd Floor Atrium.

This Annual Symposium is hosted by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, the UM Medical School and the UM Department of Dermatology.