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Organisation

Laboratory of Dermatology

Division

Main organisation:Department of Oncology
Lifecycle:1 Jan 1995 →  Today
Organisation profile:

The research of the Laboratory of Dermatology is situated in the domain of cutaneous oncology (melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer) and encompasses an epidemiological and a clinical-fundamental aspect. The latter aspect focuses on research in photoprotection and non-melanoma skin cancer (cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma).
Research topics include:

  • Photoprotective and therapeutic effects of flavonoids on keratinocytes.
  • Role of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma progression.

The Genetic/epidemiological research is centered around cutaneous melanoma: the laboratory is involved in the development of a prospective database of malignant melanoma patients, using cutaneous melanoma patients as a target population.
Research topics include:

  • Gene polymorphisms in cutaneous melanoma patients.
  • Vitamin D status and outcome in cutaneous melanoma.

1. Topical tacrolimus in atopic patients (H. Degreef & H. Morren) 2. Oral ascomycine in atopic adult patients, to start in 2001. This is a dose finding study and we also investigate the tolerability (H. Degreef & H. Morren). 3. Fragrance chemical allergy : a major environmental and consumer health problem in Europe (A. Goossens). 4. Contact allergy to limonene (A. Goossens). 5. Characteristics of vit D in epidermal keratinocytes. UVB induced production of active vit D. Regulation of the expression of vit D receptor and enzymes, interfering with the synthesis and metabolism of vit D (S. Segaert, working in the department of Legendo of prof. Bouillon). 6. Responses of keratinocytes after UVB damage of these cells. - Nutrition as a systemic protector. - The role of P53. - Signal transduction resulting in UVB induced apoptosis (M. Garmyn).

Keywords:Ultraviolet irradiation, Skin cells, Gene induction
Disciplines:Dermatology