Penn Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center

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PROJECT SUMMARY The Penn Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (Penn SBDRC) will continue to support and accelerate skin disease research and its translation by providing critical infrastructure, resources, and expertise to skin investigators. The overall goals of the Penn SBDRC are to promote collaboration among skin investigators, especially across disciplines; to draw new investigators with diverse perspectives to skin research; to foster an environment that supports and cultivates the next generation of skin researchers; to increase access to technology and resources for conducting rigorous, impactful skin research; and to accelerate translation of research findings into innovative therapies for skin disease. To accomplish these goals, the aims of the Center are: Aim 1) To provide cutting-edge approaches and related expertise centered around 3 multi-disciplinary Resource Cores: Cutaneous Phenomics and Transcriptomics (CPAT) Core, Skin Translational Research (STaR) Core, and Data Science and Informatics (DSI) Core. These Cores are highly synergistic, providing high-demand and/or specialized services, valuable tissue/cellular resources, and the expertise to ensure rigorous experimental design, analytical strategies, and accurate interpretations. All Cores take advantage of the deep expertise of the Directors and Co-Directors and their research groups, to continuously improve and innovate upon techniques/approaches offered by the Center. Aim 2) To establish an Administrative Core that unifies skin investigators and promotes the goals of the SBDRC. The Administrative Core provides oversight and implements the activities of the center. This includes an Enrichment Program that is subdivided into 4 Sub-Cores: The Community Outreach Sub-Core introduces underserved Philadelphia public high school students to the excitement of biomedical research and dermatology through the Penn Academy of Skin Health (PASH), a Saturday academy and summer internship program. These programs also provide volunteer and mentorship opportunities for SBDRC members; The Mentoring Sub-Core promotes career success and training through structured mentorship for trainees and junior faculty. Through a partnership with the Dermatology Department’s Committee on Diversity and Inclusion, specialized mentoring programs for women and minorities underrepresented in medicine will be provided, as well as training for SBDRC mentors. The Scientific Enrichment Sub-Core sponsors a seminar series, workshops, and a yearly scientific symposium to promote interactions, collaboration, and innovative approaches among skin researchers. The Seed Funding Sub-Core offers 3 different funding mechanisms that attract new investigators and support the independence of junior investigators. The Penn SBDRC leverages the excellence of Penn Dermatology’s research and clinical programs as well as that of the entire Penn community to enhance collaboration, bringing new technology to skin research, and providing access to critical intellectual and technical resources that greatly enhance innovation and rigor in the study of skin disease. The Center impacts skin research well beyond Pennsylvania’s borders, and ultimately advances the treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of skin diseases.