Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center at Mount Sinai

Summary The overall goal of the Skin Biology Resource-Based Center (SBDRC) at Mount Sinai is to accelerate research in skin biology and diseases and promote its translation to benefit human health. To achieve this, we will harness the technical innovations, high-end infrastructure and computing power available at Mount Sinai to specifically advance and innovate skin research. In parallel we will ensure a vibrant future for skin biology and diseases research by expanding our research community. Administrative Core A will provide management, structure and oversight; award User Scholarships to reduce cost barriers to high end technologies; communicate SBDRC programs through a website and social media; organize research talks, seminars and retreats to promote scientific interchange and collaborations; attract new investigators and support development of junior and physician-scientists through Pilot Grants and Individual Mentoring Committees; and support faculty recruitment and the SBDRC Sinai Skin Scholars Program, which will provide East Harlem high school students with hands-on exposure to skin biology and diseases research technological infrastructure and expertise. We will support effort for technological experts to prioritize SBDRC goals and immerse themselves in skin research labs. Each Resource Core will provide unique expertise from leaders in multiple research areas, and technology, training and services customized to users’ needs. The 3 Resource Cores will interact seamlessly: Resource Core B, “Modeling of Skin Disease for Mechanistic Analysis and Therapeutic Discovery,” will facilitate access to human skin samples, and provide technology, consultation and assistance with multiplexed immunostaining, isolation of skin cell subpopulations, generation and analysis of genetic mouse models, and gene editing and gene expression manipulation in human iPSC-derived skin cells. Skin cells or samples from Core B will be analyzed at the molecular level in Resource Core C, “Skin Genomics, Transcriptomics, and Epigenetics Core,” which will provide access to genomics (exome sequencing, whole genome sequencing, and targeted capture), transcriptomics (RNA-seq, ISO-seq, small RNA seq), epigenetic (ATAC-seq, ChIP-seq, CUT&RUN, Hi-C), and single-cell (scRNA-seq, scATAC-seq, spatial transcriptomics) technologies. Resource Core D, “Data Analysis and Integration Core,” will provide standardized biostatistical and bioinformatics analysis and integration of Core C data and make these easily available through Skin-GLOW, a novel user-friendly interface for data visualization. In turn, data analyzed in Core D will yield candidate genes and mechanisms that will be tested through functional analyses provided in Core B. Our plans will create a productive, impactful and extensive skin Research Community including strong external hubs at NYU and at Yale University.*