Skip to main content

The human skin is a complex three-dimensional organ composed of in excess of 20 cell types. It comprises a thin outer layer, the epidermis and a thicker fibrous layer, the dermis. Single cell genomics has revealed that that many of these cell types can be subdivided into discrete subpopulations however the spatial relationships of these cellular populations and their function remain poorly understood. We are combining single cell genomics with spatial genomic approaches (in situ sequencing, spatial transcriptomics etc) to decipher these relationships in both health and disease. We are particularly interested in fibroblasts – cells responsible for the synthesis and maintenance of extracellular matrix elements and in ongoing work we are developing cell therapy approaches to the treatment of abnormal wound healing and scarring. The lab additionally has an interest in the application of artificial intelligence methods within clinical dermatology.