Dermal research
Our dermal research include the characterization of skin damage following exposure, the mechanisms associated with the spread of the damage over time, and the mechanisms of potential treatments to eliminate or halt the skin damage induced by exposure to different toxicants. The research also addresses the development and the evaluation of potential protective and decontaminating compounds.
Studies include:
Dermal exposure of small and large animals to liquid or vapor toxicants, that cause cutaneous insults and/or systemic effects.
Evaluation of dermal lesions by employing colorimetric and trans-epidermal water-loss measurements in addition to measurement of wound area.
Evaluation of wound-healing processes through detection of biochemical and inflammatory changes using histology, histochemistry and immunohistochemistry as well as biochemical and molecular biology methods.
Development of therapeutic measures, decontamination and protective solutions (such as Dermostyx) following acute and long-term exposure to different toxicants.
Ex vivo studies of enzymatic and diffusion assays using Franz cells
Histological section from hairless guinea-pig skin biopsies taken 24hr following exposure to sulfur mustard vapor. Typical vesication, epithelial damage and hemorrhage in the dermis are seen. H&E staining, objective magnification x20