Uncovering microRNA Targets in Scarring Alopecia (COMPLETED)

Alopecia UK funds invested: £1000

When: March 2019 - October 2019

Project Type: Data gathering to support hypothesis generation

Project Lead: Dr Kehinde Ross

Length of Project: 6 months

Research Institute: Liverpool John Moores University

Conditions of interest: Lichen planopilaris, frontal fibrosing alopecia

Funds being used for: completion of next-generation sequencing to determine overall changes in gene outputs in patient skin samples

Research Question:

Do small gene products of the microRNA family contribute to disease processes?

Justification for research project:

MicroRNAs are small genetic molecules that have emerged as tractable drug targets for a range of complex diseases, from cancer to heart failure. In order to ensure patients with scarring alopecia can benefit from the potential of microRNA-directed therapies, it is crucial to decipher the microRNA alterations associated with the disease as well as the impact of such changes on inflammation and other biological processes. The data generated will provide novel insights into the underlying mechanisms of scarring alopecia and support larger grant applications for further translational studies designed to benefit patients.

Who is leading the project:

The study is led by Dr Kehinde Ross, Senior Lecturer in Biochemistry and Cell biology at Liverpool John Moores University. Dr Ross has been studying microRNA expression and function in the skin for over 10 years and is a member of the British Hair and Nail Society, the British Society for Investigative Dermatology and the RNA Society. The project involves collaboration with computational biologists and world leaders in scarring alopecia and hair biology.

COMPLETED

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