The changing face of cutaneous biology as seen from the National Institutes of Health

Abstract

Over the past 50 y, research in skin biology and diseases has changed dramatically. These changes include (i) who is doing the research, from M.D. clinician dermatologists to predominantly Ph.D. research scientists and full-time or nearly full-time M.D. and M.D.-Ph.D. scientists, (ii) where, from small laboratories in the U.S.A. to large laboratories and multiinvestigator collaborations worldwide, (iii) what, from a focus on common skin diseases to an emphasis on understanding basic processes in skin, both in normal and disease states, and (iv) how, from patient observations, histology, and clinical immunology to cell and tissue culture, molecular biology and genetics, genomics and proteomics. Financing of this research has also changed, from the use of clinical surplus funds supplemented by U.S. government (National Institutes of Health, Veterans Administration, and other) monies to a greater dependence on government and private (pharmaceutical industry and philanthropy) funding. The future, funding issues aside, promises great advances with translation of basic knowledge to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of skin diseases.