Research: At the center of the wheel
New research projects open the door to better treatments, ultimately a cure
From November/December 2004 Psoriasis Advance
Where does research fit into our role in the psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis community? It's part of the wheel that turns the development of safe and effective treatments, and ultimately leads to a cure.
Through the support of our Members, we are expanding the role of research at the Psoriasis Foundation by reactivating the National Psoriasis Tissue Bank, implementing surveys of people affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and hiring a director of research, Liz Horn, Ph.D.
Reactivating the Tissue Bank
You may have heard about the National Psoriasis Tissue Bank at the 2004 National Conference, where we gave an overview of our involvement in this important resource. First opened in 1994, the Tissue Bank remains the first and only public source of genetic material for researchers investigating psoriasis. Samples collected through the Tissue Bank were essential for our current understanding of the genetics of psoriasis, including the discovery of three genes located on chromosome 17 linked to psoriasis susceptibility. This study was published in December 2003 in Nature Genetics, a scientific journal, less than 10 years after chromosome 17 was first implicated in psoriasis. Earlier this year, several issues of the Psoriasis Advance also documented this discovery.
With the reactivation of the Tissue Bank, we will soon be seeking to collect blood samples from people with psoriasis and their families. We will also seek samples from individuals who do not have psoriasis or another chronic disease to be used as controls. Our goal is to provide researchers with 5,000 samples to assist them in finding the genes responsible for developing psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis.
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New research director offers fresh ideas and a mind for the unknown
Liz Horn, Ph.D. |
Liz Horn, Ph.D., is a Pittsburgh, Penn., transplant to Portland, Ore., who brings to the Psoriasis Foundation expertise in skin biology, research, organizational and communication skills.
"I wanted to be involved in research that had the potential to make a difference in people's lives," says Horn, who joined the Foundation in March.
As director of research, Horn's primary job responsibilities include reactivating sample collection for the Tissue Bank, implementing survey panels, administrating the grant funding program and serving as a liaison to support the Foundation's scientific needs.
Horn received her Ph.D. in molecular pharmacology and cancer therapeutics from the State University of New York at Buffalo. Her dissertation focused on studying a gene in an epidermal model system, which relates to psoriasis as a disease that involves the epidermis (skin). Horn is currently working toward a master's degree in biomedical informatics at Oregon Health & Science University. |
Once key genes are identified, scientists can study them in greater depth to determine their function, how these genes are altered in psoriasis and what treatments can reverse the alterations found in psoriasis. Scientists are also working to determine the specific regions of other chromosomes linked to psoriasis.
International investigators unlock the genetic secrets
The Psoriasis Foundation research department is also involved in coordinating the International Psoriasis Genetics Committee Meeting (IPGC), a scientific meeting held every other year. This unique collection of 10 international laboratories is working to find a gene on chromosome 6, which is a major region believed to be associated with psoriasis. Sponsored by the Foundation, the IPGC was founded in 1995 to bring together the world's leading investigators in psoriasis genetics. The researchers share information in a collaborative effort to unravel the genetic underpinnings of psoriasis.
Award encourages career in psoriasis research
The Psoriasis Foundation has been instrumental in funding innovative research relating to psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. Because of our focus on the Tissue Bank, we are shifting our resources for this year toward a three-year career development grant co-sponsored by the Dermatology Foundation. By providing funding for a career development award, we are supporting an individual who is committed to psoriasis research. Applications are being evaluated for the award, and the grant awardee will be announced in February 2005.
Survey follows the cycle of disease
While we explore the inner depths of what causes psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, we are also listening to those around us. To this end, the Psoriasis Foundation conducts patient survey panels through which we collect a wide variety of information relating to people's access to treatment, their response to treatment and emotional aspects of the diseases. Our next round of surveys will seek information from Members and contacts to understand their level of disease, how psoriasis affects them and how satisfied they are with their quality of care. Survey panels continue the work of the National Psoriasis Foundation 2001 Benchmark Survey by following a group of patients affected by psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis over time. If you are interested in participating, please e-mail research@psoriasis.org
The National Psoriasis Foundation's educational booklet, Psoriasis Research: Progress & Promise, outlines what we know, what's been done and what's happening in the area of psoriasis research. Download it at www.psoriasis.org/publications/booklets or call 800.723.9166 for your free copy.
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