In a first for the world-famous event held from Tues 21 to Sat 25 May 2024, Dermatologists and specialist nurses will be welcoming visitors to the Burma Skincare Initiative ‘Spirit of Partnership Garden’ during the week.

The charity, co-founded by Chris Griffiths OBE, emeritus professor at The University of Manchester, is an innovative global partnership providing research, education, and clinical services to dermatologists working in one of the world’s poorest health care systems.

Currently fewer than 50 dermatologists and three dermatology centres serve 55 million people in the impoverished country.

It is also the first time a Burmese garden has featured at Chelsea and in another first, it is a debut design by someone not in the profession.

The designer, the charity and the sponsors behind the first Burmese and skin-themed garden at the world’s most famous flower show say it’s a unique opportunity to put Burma and skin health in the spotlight.

Professor Griffiths said: “Skin disease has a major impact on a person’s quality of life and mental health and can impose severe limitations on their ability to work. In Myanmar, we met many people, including hundreds of children in orphanages, with skin diseases.

Their suffering and resilience motivated us to improve access to skincare in the country through partnerships between international and local dermatology communities and industry.”

Co-founder, Dr Su Lwin, a Burmese-born dermatology registrar and honorary lecturer at St John’s Institute of Dermatology and King’s College London, added: “My beautiful country faces many challenges. We are focussed on creating opportunities in education and research for our colleagues in Myanmar so that together, we may achieve our vision of equal access to quality skin care for its people. I am absolutely thrilled that through the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, we are able to put Myanmar and skin health on the world stage. This is also the first time a garden at Chelsea tells the story of skin disease, and the importance of partnership in its management, and we hope people love it.”

Garden designer Helen Olney, working with landscaper Conquest Creative Spaces, has juggled her day job, to create her Chelsea debut.

She said: “The garden is full of texture, including timber from a Thames jetty, crumbling red bricks and weathered stone with moss and lichen. Along with plants such as Acer davidii and Betula utilis (Himalayan birch), they represent skin disease.

All the plants are found in Burma and grow happily in the UK and many have value for wildlife. The planting is naturalistic in a palette of greens, lilacs, yellows and whites. The diversity of Myanmar is shown through different planting zones and features. That includes the part-ruined ‘stupa’, a spiritual structure found across Myanmar, which symbolise the challenging environments in which the BSI work.

A stilt house, above a water lily pool, indicates the sanctuary the charity provides. Seating is inspired by a letter in the Burmese alphabet meaning ‘coming together’. This is how this garden came about, and how the charity works,” added Helen.

For more information about the BSI visit the website

Images:

• L-R Prof Chris Griffiths OBE, RHS's Esta Morris and Doctor Su Lwin on the plot where the show garden will appear in May.
• The BSI garden uses education research and clinical care to support Burmese health Credit The3DGardener

The renewed commitment will help Boots and No7 Beauty Company continue to break new ground in helping people care for their skin throughout their life, whether it is maintaining skin health, helping to combat skin ageing or supporting people through significant skin changes such as those resulting from the menopause. It will also further strengthen their market leading cosmetic science innovation pipeline, which has delivered product innovations generating waiting lists of up to 100,000 people, physical queues outside Boots stores and surges in visits to boots.com. 

The announcement was made at a special event held at the University, which celebrated some of the partnership’s most significant scientific milestones, including the launch of its biggest scientific breakthrough to date; the ground-breaking No7 Future Renew skincare range. The range was launched exactly one year ago this week and was developed following 15 years of research and development between scientists at both organisations, resulting in the discovery of a world-first super peptide blend formulated into a best-selling range and serum that is clinically proven to reverse visible signs of skin damage.  This innovation has taken the beauty industry by storm, with the Future Renew serum becoming a global bestseller and the biggest ever beauty launch in the UK.  In the UK, there were more than 500,000 transactions in the first four weeks, and a year later, one product is still sold every seven seconds.

The collaboration renewal also coincides with both institutions celebrating landmark anniversaries; with Boots marking its 175th anniversary and The University of Manchester reaching its 200 year milestone in 2024.

Mark Winter, Managing Director, No7 Beauty Company, said: “We are incredibly proud of our longstanding partnership with the UoM’s Centre for Dermatology Research and excited for the next phase of our collaboration.  Scientific innovation is part of our DNA and by working with world-leading partners like the University of Manchester we are committed to using our unrivalled research expertise to be at the forefront of skincare and cosmetic innovation, developing ground-breaking, clinically proven, affordable products that work for everyone.”

The event was attended by representatives from both institutions, including Ornella Barra, Chief Operating Officer, International, Walgreens Boots Alliance, Inc and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor, The University of Manchester.  

from The University of Manchester said: “We are delighted to be able to continue our partnership with Boots and to pursue our shared aims of uncovering new insights into skin biology and applying this knowledge to repairing accumulated damage.” 

, also from The University of Manchester  said: "Our longstanding partnership with Boots has enabled us to explore the depths of skin science while delivering real-world benefits to consumers through clinical translational research. We are thrilled to continue this collaboration, advancing innovation and enhancing skin health for all individuals."

Where it all began
The partnership was established twenty years ago by a small team of No7 and University of Manchester scientists. The ambition was to come together to create cutting-edge skincare solutions that could be taken from the laboratory straight to the high street.  One of the first innovations was the renowned No7 Protect & Perfect serum. The serum famously featured in a BBC Horizon programme in 2007, where the efficacy of the serum was verified by independent dermatologists, leading to the product selling out in Boots stores throughout the UK.

Fast forward to 2024 and today, the collaboration has caught the eyes of the scientific community and the Government.  It has also:  

• Led to 10 patents being filed, with more in the pipeline
• Resulted in over 100 academic publications including 60 peer reviewed papers published in scientific journals
• Helped to upskill thousands of beauty advisors and pharmacists within Boots stores
• Supported a UK talent pipeline of brilliant entrepreneurial scientists – many of whom are female
• Significantly raised the reputation of bioscience research in the UK and in particular in the North West
• Helped put No7 on the global map with distribution now extending to over a dozen countries including Australia, the Nordics and the US
• Created effective collaborations both in the UK and internationally with the likes of Imperial College London, Kings College, Newcastle, York and Liverpool universities, as well as internationally with Johns Hopkins.

Millie Kendall OBE, CEO, British Beauty Council, comments: “The launch of No7 Future Renew was somewhat revolutionary.  The teams took a ground-breaking scientific discovery straight into an affordable, accessible skincare range available to all on the British high street, whereas traditionally you would see cutting-edge scientific innovations trickle down to high street products several years after launching in premium products or clinics. It is testament to the rigour and strength of the partnership between The University of Manchester, Boots and No7 Beauty Company that they have created truly world-leading skincare innovation together.”

New era of discovery beckons
The renewal of the partnership establishes a ground-breaking five-year research programme that will explore peptides, clinical testing, skin immunology, and the skin microbiome. It includes a pioneering project to investigate skin across the pigmentary spectrum, aiming to develop more inclusive and effective technologies suitable for all skin tones. The project has already secured multi-million-pound funding from The BBSRC’s Prosperity Award, marking a significant investment in advancing skin science.

Samantha Dover, Mintel Category Director of Beauty and Personal Care research, said: “Beauty consumers are increasingly discerning and want to know more about the products they buy. This is exemplified by the 71% of UK adults who believe beauty brands should provide more scientific evidence to validate their claims. Showcasing the research and development behind a product can provide brands with a powerful point of difference in a crowded market. Moreover, partnerships that elevate and spotlight the R&D process will undoubtedly appeal to consumers who want brands to validate their claims, and therefore can build brand trust and loyalty.” 

Investing in the next generation of British scientists
Throughout the partnership, The University of Manchester, Boots and No7 Beauty Company will support the next generation of scientists through the following initiatives:

• Funding from BBSRC Collaborative Training Partnership in 2021 to train 15 PhD students, addressing skills gaps in the UK bioscience industry.
• Co-investing with UKRI since 2019, with UKRI recognising the No7 Future Renew story as an exemplar of business and university collaboration.

An event is being held at The University of Manchester on April 11^th (the one year anniversary of the No7 Future Renew launch) to celebrate the impact and success of the partnership and look ahead at the next phase. 

A highlight of the life sciences calendar, the awards dinner was held at the Concorde Conference Centre on 7th March, with 339 attendees gathering for an evening of celebration and achievement.

According to the judges,  The University received the Partnership & Collaboration Award for being able to demonstrate a collaboration with their more than 15-year skin health and ageing research partnership with Boots.

The collaboration enabled new discoveries in skin biology to be incorporated into novel commercial products via a robust, clinical screening programme.

It has also brought several million pounds of investment into North-West bioscience, producing 100+ scientific publications, 10 patents and new employment opportunities.

Welcoming the award    said: “We are very honoured to receive this prestigious award from BioNow.

“Our partnership with Boots is built on a shared aim to uncover new insights into skin biology and to apply this knowledge to repairing accumulated damage.”

People in the image from The University of Manchester: , , Michael Sherratt,  . And from Boots: Vickie Wright, Jo Watson, Roboh Borke, Steph Franklin

Dr Abigail Langton said: “The acknowledgment from Bionow of our partnership with Boots is a significant achievement, and we're excited about the recent five-year contract renewal, extending our collaboration into its 20th year”.

The in , published by Elsevier, mean microRNA-29s, a class of small RNAs, could benefit patients affected by large-area or deep wounds prone to dysfunctional scarring.

The findings offer hope for an eventual to solution to the global problem of non-healing wounds, thought to cost between £11.25 billion and  £16.5 billion per year.

, from the University’s Division of Cell Matrix Biology and Regenerative Medicine, was lead investigator of the study.

She said: “We had data showing microRNAs can regulate skin growth. However, microRNAs do not code for proteins, so it wasn’t clear how such small molecules can make changes to the skin. We therefore studied underlying mechanisms that could be targeted to improve wound healing in the skin.”

There is already good understanding of the molecular events during early wound healing stages of inflammation and tissue formation, showing microRNAs are important factors in healing and may regulate functions in skin repair. However, the mechanisms underlying tissue remodeling are unclear.

Scientists studying wound healing in mice with microRNA-29 switched off have suggested the release of microRNA-29 targets promote wound healing by regulating skin regeneration.

That is done by binding long RNAs -  molecules carrying instructions from our DNA to different parts of the cell to make proteins – which code for a structural protein of the skin called laminin C2 (LAMC2).

LAMC2 is a crucial part of the glue that holds our cells in place and helps maintain the integrity and structure of tissues throughout the body, restoring the normal skin structure.

In the 91ֱ�� study, the researchers found that wild type mice healed quite well, but the skin of transgenic mice devoid of microRNA-29 regenerated even better.

To understand the reasons, they conducted deep microscopic analysis of the transgenic wounds and observed deposition of Lamc2—usually found in one of the skin layers in wild mice—around blood vessels inside the wounds of microRNA-29–deficient transgenic mice.

The observation showed microRNA-29 may be inhibiting the expression of Lamc2, and deletion in the transgenic mice relieved the inhibition, resulting in faster wound healing. Importantly, in human wounds, the new areas of LAMC2 deposition was found in wound matrix around small blood vessels under regenerating wound.

Dr Kurinna said: “These processes are likely to be mediated by the removal of microRNA-29, which improves cell matrix adhesion - the way cells in our body stick to and interact with the network of proteins and other molecules that surrounds cells known as the extracellular matrix.

“Our results further suggest a link between LAMC2, improved creation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis), and re-epithelialization -   the body's way of closing a wound.

“We expected the removal of microRNA-29 would help outer layers of the skin to grow faster. But it was the deep matrix of the wound that actually showed an improvement, and that was tremendously exciting.”

The findings demonstrate the role of microRNA-29 in epidermal repair and suggest the release of microRNA-29 targets, particularly LAMC2, promotes wound healing.

That could mean the inhibition of microRNA-29 and/or overexpression of LAMC2 may be a new and effective strategy for improving wound healing.

Dr Kurinna added: “Our findings are of particular interest because they describe the mechanism which restores normal skin structure, rather than a wound closure by scar tissue. Any improvement of normal skin repair would therefore help many patients affected by large-area or deep wounds prone to dysfunctional scarring.”

The multi-million-pound research partnership, known as Project Spectrum, seeks to redress a historical imbalance in the existing body of skin research, which previously focused on lighter skin tones, with darker skin tones underrepresented or overlooked completely. The ambitious research project will explore how skin structure, function and response to sunlight is influenced by melanin, the pigment determining skin colour, with the goal of delivering effective skincare solutions that are fit for purpose and address the needs of all people, setting a new standard for inclusivity.

Project Spectrum builds on an existing, highly successful, 15-year research collaboration between No7 Beauty Company, Boots and UoM that has made significant advances in the science of skin structural remodelling linked to environmental and age-related damage.  The partnership has produced over 100 scientific publications and enabled new skincare solutions for skin health and ageing to reach UK consumers. The Prosperity Partnerships funding represents an exciting evolution of this collaboration, uniting national and international experts in skin biology, photobiology, and skin gerontology.

, Lecturer in Ethnic Skin and Principal Investigator on Project Spectrum, is enthusiastic about the initiative: “The UoM’s Centre for Dermatology Research boasts an outstanding track record in fundamental skin research. Our longstanding partnership with Boots and No7 Beauty Company has allowed us to not only delve into the intricacies of skin science but also deliver tangible benefits to consumers through clinical translational research."

She adds, “Through Project Spectrum, we aim to break new ground in the exploration of skin, building both capacity and capability in skin research and fostering a more holistic and inclusive approach to dermatological research”.

Dr Mike Bell, Head of Science Research at Boots and No7 Beauty Company said: “We are very grateful to UKRI and the BBSRC for supporting this exciting research programme. With our world leading scientific partners at The University of Manchester we will develop a much better understanding of the similarities and differences in skin across the pigmentary spectrum allowing for more inclusive product design, and ultimately more effective solutions for everyone.”

This collaborative effort is poised to redefine the future of skin health research, pushing boundaries, and paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable approach to skin care.

The University of Manchester was also successful in securing Prosperity Partnerships funding with Shell Research Limited and is co-leading a third with University College London.

The discovery follows 15 years of research and innovation using scientific methods and approaches that are more akin to medical research and rarely seen in cosmetic product development. The new peptide blend was developed using cutting edge British R&D across several fields of science and technology including advanced robotics, mathematical modelling, bioinformatics, machine learning, cell biology and cosmetic science.

“With 87 years of innovation and scientific firsts, No7 prides itself on ensuring its products provide customers with exceptional results,” said No7’s Head of Science Research Dr Mike Bell.  The new peptide blend effectively tricks the skin into thinking that it has been damaged to signal renewal of key proteins such as collagen and fibrillin to boost skin’s natural self-repair mechanisms, targeting signs of cumulative damage both on and under the surface. The result is a brand-new peptide blend which we believe will be a game changer for our consumers.

“Underpinning this discovery is No7’s long-standing research partnership with brilliant scientists at The University of Manchester. Together we utilised new state-of-the-art methodologies and techniques such as machine learning and bioinformatics to identify and screen naturally-occurring skin efficacious peptides – a first for the cosmetics industry.”

Mike Sherratt, Professor of Biochemistry at The University of Manchester, comments: “Today the field of peptide technology research is booming, with exciting new discoveries and applications being used in therapeutic medical settings as well as in cosmetic science. This novel and revolutionary peptide innovation could only have been developed from having a deep understanding of skin damage.”

Five peer reviewed papers form the science backdrop to this latest innovation from No7 and The University of Manchester, with a further manuscript recently submitted to high impact science journal. Research presented at the American Academy of Dermatology’s annual conference in Louisiana revealed the new peptide blend is proven to enhance the expression of over 50 key skin proteins, including collagen and fibrillin, which support skin function and natural self-repair.  

No7’s new super peptide is set to be one of the most effective and tolerated skincare ingredients on the cosmetic market. Unlike retinoic acid, which is known by dermatologists to cause tolerance challenges such as skin sensitivity and redness, No7's new super peptide is both highly potent and also highly tolerated, being suitable even for those with sensitive skin. This paves the way to making gold standard skin repair available to even more people.

Cutting-edge Technology

Machine learning was utilised to identify naturally-occurring peptide sequences released from key skin molecules including collagens and elastic-fibre proteins, which were then tested using state-of-the-art omics techniques to characterise their skin remodelling activity and find the most powerful for deep down skin repair. 

Scientists evaluated thousands of possible peptide combinations to identify this new super peptide, a blend of two novel synthetic tetra-peptides, pal-GPKG and pal-LSVD, which mimic naturally occurring peptides in the skin to boost the skin’s natural self-repair function.

Robotic technology at the University of Liverpool’s Materials Innovation Factory and mathematical modelling techniques were used to optimise the formulation textures and delivery system for penetration of the peptides to where they are needed and work the best. As a result, penetration is predicted to be 50% better than existing formulations. 

The new super peptide technology has been met with excitement from the global scientific community with the technology due to be presented at three world leading scientific conferences this Spring including the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) Annual Conference in Louisiana, the British Society for Investigative Dermatology (BSID) Annual Meeting in Glasgow and the International Societies for Investigative Dermatology (ISID) meeting in Tokyo. 

Dr Matiss Ozols, formerly of The University of Manchester and now based at the Wellcome Sanger Institute, comments: “Application of this peptide discovery pipeline to other tissues could profoundly advance the treatment of age-related diseases, providing novel treatments inspired by the body’s natural self-repair mechanisms. I’m excited by the possibilities!”

This discovery builds on a long history of scientific innovation for No7; the brand was the first to prove that non-medical cosmetic products worked when the scientific efficacy of the No7 Protect and Perfect Serum was verified on BBC Horizon in 2007. In 2009 No7 was the first to publish a 12-month study on an anti-ageing cosmetic product showing clinical wrinkle improvements in a paper published in the British Journal of Dermatology.

Patent applications have been submitted and are pending for both the new peptides and the delivery system.

The University of Manchester and Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust led studies on Bimekizumab , both published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine today, were funded by UCB Pharma; the company that developed the treatment which could be available in as little as 12 months.

Given as an injection under the skin, Bimekizumab is a monoclonal antibody and the first to block both Interleukin 17A and Interleukin 17F which are overexpressed in psoriasis.

Interleukin 17A and Interleukin 17F are two types of special proteins called cytokines which regulate the immune system. Other psoriasis drugs have only been able to block 17A.

One trial called BE RADIANT, compared the drug with Secukinumab, an IL17 A blocker: 743 patients were enrolled and 373 patients were assigned to Bimekizumab

The BE SURE trial compared Bimekizumab with Adalimumab: of the 478 patients enrolled, 319 patients were assigned to Bimekizumab.

Bimekizumab in both studies was given every 4 weeks for 16 weeks after which two maintenance schedules were possible: continue at every 4 weeks or go to an 8-week schedule .

Secukinumab and Adalimumab were given as per label.

The team assessed the efficacy of the treatments using the Psoriasis Area Severity Index (PASI) with PASI 100 indicating clear skin.

At week 16 in the BE RADIANT trial, 230 patients (61.7%) on Bimekizumab reached complete skin clearance (PASI 100) whereas only 181 (48.9%) on Secukinumab achieved the same result.

At week 16 in the BE SURE trial, 275 or 86.2% of the patients on Bimekizumab achieved a PASI 90, one of the primary endpoints of the study where only 75 of the patients on Adalimumab-(47.2%) had the same result.

After approximately a year, there was no difference in outcomes for patients receiving Bimekizumab every 4 weeks, or every 8 weeks.

Side effects were rare, though oral candidiasis- usually an easily treatable mouth infection - occurred in some patients.

Professor Richard Warren from The University of Manchester is also a Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

He has been leading some parts of the Bimekizumab development programme over the last 5 years as well as working with others on the design of the phase 3 programmes.

He said: “These trials show that Bimekizumab offers much hope to patients with moderate to severe psoriasis.

“The higher rates of skin clearance under Bimekizumab compared with Secukinumab and Adalimumab were very impressive.

“This drug sets a new bar for psoriasis treatment and we are hopeful that trials in treating other diseases triggered by over active Interleukin 17A and Interleukin 17F will also lead to improvements in patient care .”

The papers Bimekizumab versus Adalimumab in Plaque Psoriasis and Bimekizumab versus Secukinumab in Plaque Psoriasis are published in New England Journal of Medicine

The study from the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulator Register () compared the effectiveness of secukinumab against ustekinumab, two biologics used to treat the common chronic inflammatory skin condition psoriasis.

The research was supported by the . 91ֱ�� BRC bridges the gap between new discoveries and individualised care through pioneering research. The BRC’s Dermatology theme is using a precision medicine approach to prevent and predict disease progression and personalise treatment pathways for inflammatory skin disease and chronic wounds.

Published in JAMA Dermatology and funded by the and the British Association of Dermatologists, they found the relative treatment effect was robust when benchmarked against a clinical trial of the two biologic drugs.

An observational study passively monitors people receiving treatment rather than actively intervening and designating people to certain treatments as in clinical trials.

Secukinumab was approved in 2015 in the United States and European Union to treat adults with moderate-to-severe psoriasis, as was ustekinumab in 2009.

The study team used real world data from BADBIR, which from 2007 has been collecting data from volunteers in the UK and Ireland who are using biologic and other therapies to treat their psoriasis.

BADBIR was set up to see if there are any differences in the safety profile between biologic therapies and the more established psoriasis treatments.

Lead author Dr Zenas Yiu is a NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Dermatology at The University of Manchester and Specialty Registrar in Dermatology at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

He said: “We know that randomised clinical trials can over-estimate the effect of medicines when compared with what happens to the population of patients suffering from the condition outside of trials.

“However, it is not yet clear whether observational studies can robustly test the relative effectiveness between two different psoriasis treatments.

“We wanted to see how effective secukinumab and ustekinumab were for the treatment of psoriasis in a large population of patients with psoriasis outside the trial setting in the UK.

“We also wanted to and see if we can reach the same conclusions as the equivalent published clinical trial as to which treatment was more effective.”

The team observed if patients had a Psoriasis Area and Severity Index score, the most commonly used disease severity score for psoriasis, of 2 or lower after 12 months of either treatment

They compared the results to an international trial called the CLEAR trial, which compared secukinumab to ustekinumab.

The results of the study showed that, as expected, the treatment effect for both secukinumab and ustekinumab were approximately 15% lower in BADBIR compared with the CLEAR trial.

However, the relative effect in BADBIR between the two treatments was similar to CLEAR, with a relative risk of achieving the outcome for secukinumab compared with ustekinumab of 1.28 in BADBIR compared with 1.24 in CLEAR.

He added: “We feel these results important as they confirm that less patients respond to secukinumab and ustekinumab in the real-world compared with the strictly selected and monitored clinical trial environment.

“Despite these differences we replicated the relative treatment effect between secukinumab and ustekinumab found in the CLEAR trial reliably in BADBIR.

“Although data from randomised controlled trials remain the gold-standard evidence for evaluation of treatment efficacy, our study suggests that, with the right analytical approach, observational data can also be used to inform clinical treatment decision making.

“We feel that in the future, data from BADBIR may reliably tell us about the relative effect of other treatments for psoriasis that are currently not informed by trial evidence.”

The paper: Randomized Trial Replication Using Observational Data for Comparative Effectiveness of Secukinumab and Ustekinumab in Psoriasis: A 91ֱ�� From the British Association of Dermatologists Biologics and Immunomodulators Register is published in  Dermatology

Image by  from  

An estimated 60 million people worldwide have the chronic skin condition, psoriasis, according to the latest results of the Global Psoriasis Atlas (GPA).

The Atlas is an international project led by Professor Chris Griffiths and Professor Darren Ashcroft, at The University of Manchester. These latest findings have been published in today (Thursday, 28 May).

The researchers found that the prevalence of psoriasis had a strong association with age, showing the condition was less common in children and occurred more frequently in adults. It also found the condition was unequally distributed across the world’s geographical regions.

It was highest in high-income areas such as Australasia, Western Europe, Central Europe, and North America. Although, the largest adult populations affected by psoriasis lived in the US, India, and China, followed by Germany, Brazil, France, and the UK. But the researchers say it is unclear whether this income-related pattern is due to a real trend or down to better data quality, awareness of the disease and access to care in high-income countries compared to low-and-middle-income countries.

To compile and analyse the data the researchers identified over 40,000 records related to psoriasis, including 308 peer-reviewed papers of which 168 were deemed suitable to analyse for the project. The team then used statistical modelling and geographical clustering to generate estimates for countries with missing information. The group’s analysis generated results for 21 regions and 189 countries from across the globe.

The Atlas and its findings can now help guide countries and the international community when making public health decisions relating to the appropriate management of psoriasis.

Professor Chris Griffiths, who is a world expert in psoriasis, said: "The GPA will become the leading resource of its kind globally, providing the common benchmark for psoriasis data in all countries and regions throughout the world. The Atlas aims to drive better understanding of the natural history of psoriasis and uncover how it affects the individual and society. It will also help us understand how healthcare can be improved for those living with the disease.”

The study also found that considerable gaps still exist in the geographical areas that report this information, particularly from low- and middle-income countries.

Dr Rosa Parisi, who led the study, said: "A clear need exists to improve the quality and increase the amount of data on the epidemiology of psoriasis. Methods, diagnostic criteria, and reporting of the incidence and prevalence of the disease should be standardised.

“An improved understanding of the epidemiology of psoriasis is important so that resources can be allocated to reduce morbidity, disability, and mortality associated with the disease."

A study led by an NIHR 91ֱ�� Biomedical Research Centre scientist has identified, for the first time, how the human skin suppresses inflammation after exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR).

Dr Nathan Hawkshaw is the lead author of a research paper published in , an open access, peer-reviewed journal. Dr Hawkshaw is an early career researcher entirely funded by , with his appointment as a Research Associate at his first post-doctoral role.

As part of the study, healthy volunteers agreed for their skin to be safely exposed to a single, inflammation-causing dose of UVR in the Photobiology Unit at . Skin samples were then taken, and researchers examined the immune profile and skin composition over time.

Results showed that UVR ‘recruits’ the , CD4+GATA3+ and CD8+GATA3+ – which help the skin repair itself after UVR exposure – to the inflamed area of human skin, while altering the skin composition for 14 days. This differs from separate, earlier studies carried out by other researchers involving mice (experimental models), instead suggesting that UVR-induced inflammation in humans involves a ‘post-resolution phase’. During this phase there is considerable immune-modulation – meaning a person’s immune system stabilises and repairs itself – involving different T cells than those seen in experimental models.

Dr Hawkshaw, who works within NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC’s , said: “The results of our translational research challenge current thinking and show, for the first time, that certain cells remain in the surface of human skin for some time after exposure to UVR.

“Essentially, the cells responsible for helping the skin get back to normal after it is exposed to UVR remain there for around two weeks; they could be there to prevent abnormal skin growth, or potentially to act as ‘gatekeepers’ against further inflammation.

“While we have known why skin becomes inflamed after being exposed to UVR for some time – particularly through sun exposure and sunburn – what the skin does to resolve this and how it adapts in the longer-term has been unknown until now.

“These findings therefore lay the foundation for future research into why these cells behave the way they do.”

This new evidence about how the skin reacts to UVR could assist development of targeted new treatments for patients with excessive inflammatory reactions to sun exposure (Photodermatoses), as well as those with skin cancer.

Professor Lesley Rhodes, who leads the Photodermatoses Programme within NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC’s , said: “Congratulations to Dr Hawkshaw, Dr Suzanne Pilkington (also at The University of Manchester) and co-authors on publishing this manuscript, which has shown that UVR-induced immune-modulation differs between experimental models and humans, turning previous assumptions on their head.

“Now the processes ongoing in human skin are better understood, more targeted treatments can be developed, which is fantastic news for our patients, and directly aligns with 91ֱ�� BRC’s precision medicine strategy.

“The fact Dr Hawkshaw is an early career researcher and that he is fully-funded by 91ֱ�� BRC demonstrates our commitment to supporting rising stars in research, as well as our capacity-building as we look ahead to the future.”

Supporting rising stars in research

In a further accolade for Dr Hawkshaw, he was awarded a place on a select  leadership course for rising stars in Porto, Portugal, in October 2019, having delivered a presentation at the annual ESDR meeting in Bordeaux in September 2019.

Dr Hawkshaw added: “The 25 most promising skin scientists in Europe are selected for the programme, so as one of the youngest, it was an honour to be there and to be in a room with all those eminent academics and hear about their work.

“As well as presenting, there were break-out sessions which gave me the opportunity to meet other researchers and talk about how we can collaborate. As a result of this, I’m now working in collaboration with colleagues at King’s College London.

“Being funded by NIHR 91ֱ�� BRC has helped me massively, as it has given me the opportunities to go to international conferences and demonstrate my work and meet experts in the field from all over the world.”

Premature ageing in the skin of white people caused by repeated exposure to the sun also occurs in black skin - though about 50 years later, according to new research.

The team - led by University of Manchester scientists – dispel the myth that people with black skin are largely protected from sun damage because of its high content of pigment.

It has long been known that prolonged exposure to the sun causes premature ageing in white skin.

The study of 21 people in their early 20s and 18 people in their 60s and 70s is the first to analyse how skin structure and elasticity changes in people with black skin.

Lead researcher Dr Abigail Langton from The University of Manchester, said: “We know repeated exposure to the sun can age white skin, but very little research has been carried out on black skin.

“This research shows that black skin is indeed affected by the sun, though it takes far longer for that effect to be felt.”

The research was carried out in partnership with Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, the United States.

The team analysed two skin sites: the buttock, which is protected from sun damage so giving researchers information on how skin may change due to advancing age; and the forearm, which receives regular exposure to the sun.

They used special equipment to test the elasticity of skin and measured key proteins that help us understand skin health: fibrillin and collagen.

Protected black buttock skin performed similarly in both young and old people: the older cohort showed only small differences in elasticity. However, the sun exposed black forearm skin showed significant changes: it was much less elastic and fibrillin and collagen were reduced.

Professor Rachel Watson, from The University of Manchester, said: “Our previous work has shown that there are differences in how skin is organised in black and white skin; clinicians are often unaware of this difference. There is certainly a need to take this into account when considering treatment options for all patients.

“Most research is carried out in places where there are fewer people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds which might explain the lack of data on black skin.

“But in Baltimore, around 65% of the population are African Americans – which made it easier for us to recruit volunteers.”

The study highlights the need for improved public health advice regarding the consequences of prolonged sun-exposure and the importance of using sun protection for all skin types.

The study is published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and is funded by Boots UK, a subsidiary of Walgreens Boots Alliance.

“Aging in skin of color: Disruption to elastic fiber organization is detrimental to skin’s biomechanical function” is published in the

Following on from its success in previous years, the Psoriasis Shout Out is taking to the road this year, expanding its reach across the UK and Ireland.

World-leading psoriasis expert Professor Chris Griffiths, Director of the 91ֱ�� Centre for Dermatology Research at The University of Manchester is heading the series of special to get people talking about this often overlooked chronic condition.

The healthcare roadshow will be visiting locations across Greater 91ֱ�� and Ireland from the 9th to the 13th of October to raise awareness of this chronic and often life-altering skin condition.

Researchers, clinicians and patients alike are joining forces to spread the message that given the right treatment and support, it’s possible to live well with psoriasis.

Psoriasis is characterised by red, scaling patches on the skin but is also associated with other conditions such as heart disease, arthritis and depression

The condition affects over 1.8 million people across the UK, which equates to 75,000 patients in Greater 91ֱ�� alone - enough to pack out Old Trafford Stadium!

Professor Griffiths, who is also a Consultant Dermatologist at Salford Royal Hospital, said: “For many people psoriasis can be life ruining, but treatments are getting better all the time with many more options available. We aim to highlight to patients the range of pioneering research ongoing in 91ֱ�� and beyond”

The trailer will be visiting Salford Royal Hospital, St Ann’s Square, 91ֱ�� and Bury , complete with a fully-equipped healthcare trailer. Visitors will be able to jump onboard and speak with clinicians, researchers and patient ambassadors.

Free events for the public will be held in 91ֱ��, Newcastle, Leeds and Dublin.

Events in 91ֱ�� include a patient focused event on Thursday 11^th October at CityLabs, Nelson Street (0ff Oxford Road) 5-7pm.

This will be an opportunity for patients to find out more about psoriasis, treatment options and research opportunities in 91ֱ��.

This is immediately followed by a launch event (7-8.30pm) for the new Psoriasis-Rapid Access Clinic - a cutting edge initiative and a revolutionary approach to psoriasis management which may be transformational for patients.

An introduction to Lyengar yoga as a way to reduce stress and improve overall wellbeing will also be held on the 12th of October between 10:30-11:30 in G.66 Simon Building at The University of Manchester. ….

To mark the 50^th Anniversary of the UK Psoriasis Association, patients and professionals will also be encouraged throughout the week to get involved in creating their own  – audio clips sharing experience, busting myths and letting everyone know what living with psoriasis is really like.

Two initiatives developed by University of Manchester-based entrepreneurs have won £10,000 each from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) at a national awards ceremony.

Dr Neil Gibbs, founder of University of Manchester spin-out Curapel won the Commercial Impact Award and the University’s Ben Dolman and Dr James Winterburn won the Early Career Impact Award in recognition of the development of a more cost efficient process for producing insoluble lipids. The winners received £10,000 each to further their technology businesses.

is a skin healthcare company developing innovative, patent-protected products based on naturally-occurring ingredients under its brand name, . Curapel currently has a portfolio of products undergoing pre-clinical development and dermatological testing.

Curapel’s first product on the market is Pellamex, a dermatologically tested, liquid food supplement containing naturally-occurring ingredients that contribute to the maintenance of normal skin barrier function in those with eczema.

Neil commented: “I am delighted that Curapel has been recognised by this award; the support of UMIP and the BBSRC was crucial to commercialise our academic research and bring safe healthcare products to people with skin conditions.”

Ben Dolman’s and ’s work at 91ֱ�� has enabled the development of a gravity based separation technology which dramatically reduces the cost of production of lipid bioproducts, particularly biosurfactants, which have potential as green replacements for petrochemical products in many applications. Ben has now founded start-up Holiferm as a vehicle to commercialise this technology.

Ben commented: “We are thrilled to have won the Early Career Innovator of the Year award from BBSRC. Our work at The University of Manchester has led to the creation of Holiferm, a company that aims to dramatically reduce industrial production costs through the use of this holistically improved fermentation technology. Huge thanks to UK Research and Innovation for putting on such a great event,and to all of our collaborators whose efforts made this possible!”

The awards, now in their 10th year, were held at The Mermaid London on Wednesday 16 May and were presented by Professor Malcolm Skingle, Director of Academic Liaison, GlaxoSmithKline Ltd and Professor Melanie Welham, Executive Chair of .

Both winners were supported by The University of Manchester Intellectual Property (UMIP) which is a division of , The University of Manchester’s agent for intellectual property commercialisation.

UMIP’s role is to bring as much of the University’s ground-breaking inventions and software, as is relevant, into the commercial world. This is done by attracting entrepreneurs, investors and corporate venture partners to the campus and Innovation Centre and then, through engagement with academic colleagues, licensing or spinning out companies.

Dr Rich Ferrie, Director of Operations at UMIP, added: “I am delighted that Neil, Ben and James’s work has been recognised by the BBSRC in this way. I know just how much work, effort and commitment has been shown by all three in moving their innovations towards commercial success and real world impact, and I feel sure that many more accolades are on the way.

“This was a great evening too for us at UMIP and I thank my UMIP colleagues for supporting these projects on behalf of The University of Manchester.”