Advancing the understanding of biological mechanisms influencing chronic inflammatory skin diseases
Main Applicant – Dr Yew Yik Weng, Senior Consultant Dermatologist, National Skin Centre/Assistant Professor, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

Skin diseases are a significant global health concern, causing discomfort, reduced quality of life, and healthcare burden. Chronic inflammatory skin conditions like atopic dermatitis (AD), psoriasis, and chronic urticaria pose substantial challenges due to their complex nature and varied symptoms.

Our research aims to enhance understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying these conditions, particularly focusing on their natural history and treatment outcomes in Singapore.

By leveraging genomic data from the SG100K population cohort study linked with electronic medical records, we aim to identify genetic factors associated with these skin diseases. Specifically, we will explore whole genome sequencing data to uncover rare variants and genome-wide associations related to AD, psoriasis, and chronic urticaria among SG100K participants. Furthermore, we will investigate the relationship between genetic variants and skin health outcomes, such as disease onset, severity, complications, and treatment responses, using the TRUST dataset.

These insights hold potential to inform personalized treatment approaches, improve disease management, and guide the development of targeted therapies, ultimately alleviating the burden of chronic inflammatory skin diseases on individuals and healthcare systems.