Study of the molecular role of caspase-14 using transgenic Mouse models

The epidermis, which forms the uppermost, multilayered compartment of the skin, has evolved to provide a physical and permeability barrier, which is essential for survival and to prevent microbial invasion. Our work has shown that caspase-14 plays an important role in the correct formation of the skin barrier. Now we want to investigate the molecular mechanisms leading to this phenotype, using different in vivo model systems.