Elias Lab Research On Systemic Effects of Inflammation In Aging Skin Highlighted in UCSF News
Recent work from the Elias laboratory demonstrating that inflammation in the skin which accompanies aging can leak into the circulation was highlighted in the University of California San Francisco Newsletter, March 13, 2019. These inflammatory molecules – the so-called ‘inflammasome’ – have been linked by other researchers to many of the chronic diseases of the elderly, such as heart disease, Alzheimer’s disease and osteoarthritis. The concept that the source of these damaging molecules could be the skin is new and offers the possibility that treatments that reduce skin inflammation could be beneficial to many common disorders of the elderly.
This story has been highlighted in recent articles in the Wall Street Journal and the Sacremento Bee.
Stanford Dermatology Grand Rounds
On March 21,2019, Dr. Mary L. Williams joined University of California San Francisco colleagues, Drs. Sarah Coates and Timothy McCalmont, for a Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds presentation at Stanford University entitled: “The Impact Of Climate Change On Dermatology and What We Can Do About It”. Dr. McCalmont outlined the present and predicted consequences of carbon emissions on the world climate and offered personal observations its impact on him. Then Dr. Coates discussed the ways in which climate change will impact infectious diseases of the skin. Dr. Williams briefly summarized other impacts on skin health and discussed what was happening within the American Academy of Dermatology to address this issue.
Mary L. Williams, M.D., Receives Presidential Citation From American Academy of Dermatology
February 28, 2019
Dr. Williams and colleague, Misha Rosenbach, M.D., of the University of Pennsylvania Department of Dermatology, were awarded a Presidential Citation and honored as Stars of the Academy at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Dermatology in Washington D.C.. Drs. Williams and Rosenbach were honored for their work in establishing an Expert Resource Group on Climate Change and Environmental Issues within the AAD. This group, founded in 2017, is working to bring awareness of the impacts of climate change on skin health to the dermatologic community, to introduce for measures that will reduce the carbon footprint of dermatology, and to advocate for climate solutions. Dr. Williams serves as the liaison from the AAD to the Medical Societies Consortium on Climate and Health.
Mary L. Williams, M.D., Featured In The UCSF Office of Sustainabilty Newsletter.
The UCSF Office of Sustainability Newsletter of March 2019 presented an article entitled “UCSF Faculty Act on Climate Health Connection“, highlighting Dr. Williams’ recent work within the American Academy of Dermatology to bring awareness of the consequences of climate change and environmental pollution on skin health to the fore of the dermatology community and to build a platform to ‘green’ dermatologic practices.
Peter M. Elias, M.D., Delivers Invited Lecture On Atopic Dermatitis To Society Of Cosmetic Chemists.
In his address to the New York Chapter of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists on November 7, 2018 in Fairfield, New Jersey, Dr. Peter M. Elias, M.D. chose as his subject: “Pathogenesis of Atopic Dermatitis”.
In this presentation, he reviewed the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis as a disorder of the epidermal permeability barrier, including the key role of an elevated pH in initiating several downstream negative consequences for the barrier and immune system. The therapeutic options that derive from this concept include the importance of lowering the pH of the stratum corneum; the putative benefits of suberythemogenic UVB; and a comparison of the mechanisms of action of triple physiologic-based vs. bland moisturizers. Dr. Elias also reviewed his recent studies, showing that most moisturizers do not help the barrier, and are often toxic in individuals with ‘sensitive’ skin, including patients predisposed to develop AD. Finally, he described a new, inexpensive type of instrumentation to measure transepidermal water loss and hydration that should allow patients and caregivers to monitor responses to therapy, and to assess the efficacy of different moisturizers.
Mary L. Williams, M.D., Delivers UCSF Grand Rounds Presentation on Climate Change and Dermatology
On October 17, 2018, Dr. Mary L. Williams joined University of California San Francisco colleagues, Drs. Sarah Coates and Timothy McCalmont, for a Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds presentation entitled: “Climate Change, The Skin And Dermatology”. Dr. Coates outlined the present and predicted consequences of climate change and how some of these are already impacting skin conditions. Dr. McCalmont offered personal observations on the changing climate, while Dr. Williams discussed what was happening within the dermatologic community to address this issue.
Peter M. Elias, M.D., Delivers UCSF Grand Rounds Presentation On The Link Between Atopic Dermatitis And Autism
During his presentation on October 10, 2018, “Deciphering the Link Between Atopic Dermatitis and Autism” to the University of California San Francisco’s Department of Dermatology Grand Rounds, Peter M. Elias, M.D. described recent research from the Elias Laboratory showing, in an animal model, how autism and atopic dermatitis may be causally linked.
Peter. M. Elias, M.D., Receives Honorary Membership in the European Society of Dermatologic Research
On May 18, 2018 during the International Investigative Dermatology meeting in Orlando Fl, the European Society of Dermatological Research awarded Dr. Peter M. Elias an Honorary Membership in recognition of his lifetime achievements in research on the skin’s permeability barrier.