Boost for landmark skin ageing research

A research programme focusing on skin ageing in Asian populations has been backed by almost US$10.5m (S$13.9m) from the Singapore government.

The Cutaneous Ageing & Maintenance Programme (CAP) will be led by the A*STAR Skin Research Labs, a member of the Skin Research Institute of Singapore (SRIS).

The study aims to address age-related skin conditions such as skin thinning, persistent itching, and poor barrier function, which pose significant challenges in ageing populations.

The research team will test the hypothesis that skin ageing in Asian populations is driven by inflammation throughout the body, affecting the skin’s ability to maintain its structure and resilience.

The study will focus on identifying biological drivers of skin ageing in Asians and discovering potential interventions.

Principal Investigator Professor Rachel Watson said: “As our population ages, understanding how skin ages becomes crucial for maintaining health and quality of life.

“Our work will lead to innovative preventive measures and treatments tailored specifically for Asian skin, potentially impacting other ageing-related processes like wound healing, which accounts for over 5% of total healthcare spending in some countries.”

Singapore’s diverse population, representing major Asian ethnic groups, provides an opportunity to study skin conditions prevalent in Asian populations, which have been underrepresented in global dermatological research.

Asian skin differs significantly from Caucasian skin in several ways that may affect skin health and ageing.

Asian skin has more melanin than Caucasian skin, offering better protection from the sun but making it more prone to pigmentation issues and scarring.

The climate in many Asian regions, with high humidity and strong UV exposure, also impacts skin differently than in temperate climates.

Skin conditions are the fourth leading cause of non-fatal disease burden globally, affecting nearly 1.8 billion people.

However, most dermatological research has focused on Caucasian populations. By conducting Asian-specific research, CAP aims to address the unique genetic, clinical, and public health needs of Asian populations, ensuring more equitable and effective healthcare solutions.

Professor Maurice van Steensel from NTU Singapore’s Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine said: “This programme represents a significant step forward in our understanding of skin health in Asian populations. The multidisciplinary approach, bringing together experts from various fields, will undoubtedly lead to novel insights and potentially groundbreaking treatments. This research not only addresses critical health issues but also strengthens Singapore’s position as a leader in biomedical research.”

The research team plans to develop a curated dataset of images, skin physiology measurements, multi-omics, and microbiomes from healthy and diseased aged skin, as well as a first-in-class spatially preserved molecular atlas of Asian skin.

These assets, along with bespoke 2D and 3D in-vitro models of Asian aged skin, will be valuable for both pharmaceutical and personal care industries aiming to provide effective therapies or interventions for age-related skin disease or to improve skin health.