Metabolomics and Enzymology (10 Plenary Forums - 1 Event)

Biography

Dr. Varani received his undergraduate degree from St. John's University in Collegeville, Minnesota and his Ph.D. at the University of North Dakota in 1974. After Post-Doctoral work at the University of Connecticut, he came to the University of Michigan as an Assistant Professor in 1980. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1985 and became a Full Professor in 1991

Research Interest

Utilization of sophisticated human tissue models to study the process of extracellular matrix synthesis and breakdown. Understanding the cellular and molecular events that regulate connective tissue production is the key to understanding both atrophy and fibrosisSignaling pathways controlling growth, extracellular matrix production, elaboration of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors are being investigated. There are a number of agents that can be used therapeutically to modulate connective tissue synthesis and breakdown. Many of these produce an irritant- dermatitis. We have utilized chemically-induced skin irritation as a tool to help understand mechanisms of inflammatory skin disease such as psoriasis, drug-induced skin eruptions, rosacea etc. role of the keratinocyte in skin inflammation. Regulation of cell growth and differentiation is critical to this process. Understanding how epithelial cell growth and differentiation in the skin are regulated