Investigations on the pathogenesis of skin diseases with tissue defects and the identification of the involved genetic factors. The establishment of new treatment modalities and their industrial production, Skin Bank
FKFP-1A/0012/2002
Project coordinator:Prof. Dr. Lajos Kemény
Department of Dermatology and Allergology
University of Szeged
P.O.Box: 427.
H-6701 Szeged, Hungary
Fax: + 36 62 545 954
Tel: + 36 62 545 252
E-mail: kl@derma.szote.u-szeged.hu
Summary:
Large skin defects caused by burn or other injuries, chronic venous or arterial circulatory diseases )leg ulcers) or diabetic tissue defects are frequent skin disorders, presenting very high indirect and direct costs. Pigment loss disorders due to various causes are less frequent, but their therapy is unsolved. The main goal of this project is to work out a well defined method of in vitro cell culture for the purpose of autologous cell transplantation and its industrial introduction. For this purpose the consorcium will perform basic and applied research on the pathogenesis of these skin disorders and to prepare the products for industrial scale production. We will study the regulation of proliferation and differentiation processes of keratinocytes and melanocytes. Single nucleotide polymorphisms of candidate genes that may be involved in the pathogenesis of chronic wounds and in vitiligo will also be investigated. The proposed basic and applied scientific experiments will provide the basis for the industrial scale production of autologous cells. The skin bank established by kryopreservation of autologous cell cultures would be unique world-wide and would contribute to the safe and cost effective treatment of skin defects and pigment loss.