Investigators explore the normal functions of the pigment cells in the skin. They concentrate on the molecular and cell biology of the melanocyte, by specifically examining the molecular processes that govern survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Researchers also explore how the melanocyte reacts to other cell types in the skin such as keratinocytes and T-cells, and to external stimuli like sunlight and proteins in the microenvironment.

A major research focus of our center is the study of dermatological tumors. Researchers apply lessons from the normal melanocyte and apply this to a common cancer, melanoma. These ideas will be expanded into include other tumor types of the skin derived from Merkel cells. In addition, T-cell lymphoma is an aggressive disease, and we focus on the subtype that is found primarily in the skin, cutaneous T-cell lymphoma. For all of these tumor types, it is not clear what the precursor lesions are and we will characterize potential precursors such as nevi. Additionally, researchers are also interested in therapeutics, from chemotherapeutics to phototherapy.