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Peter Hull MD, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK A family had been identified showing an inherited condition that presents at birth with blistering of the skin. This blistering resembles that of more serious blistering diseases, but by contrast, the blisters heal rapidly and do not generally recur. Small cysts are often found on the chin of the newborn. Those affected have no fingerprint pattern on the fingers. This change persists to adulthood. So far the cause of this condition has not been identified. This study will attempt to firstly identify possible candidate genes using a technique known as genetic linkage. Once the candidate gene has been identified further studies will be performed to identify the fault in the gene. The genetic causes of other blistering diseases have been well documented. This research will shed further light on the causes of skin fragility and also on the very interesting signalling that takes place between the outer part of the skin - the epidermis and the deeper part - the dermis in the formation of fingerprints. © 2009 |
