Gene Technology and Gene Therapy in Dermatology

In recent years the skin has become an important target organ of gene technology and gene therapy. Its easy accessibility, well-established culture conditions and grafting techniques, as well as its function as an immune organ make it a promising candidate for the development of innovative treatment strategies. This special issue of Cells Tissues Organs gives an overview of the latest achievements in the field of skin gene therapy focusing on basic research and initial preclinical applications. It describes novel techniques of generating epidermal equivalents from hair follicle cells, the reaction of keratinocytes to exogenous DNA, and the genetic engineering of skin to be used as a bioreactor or a 'metabolic sink' in the treatment of metabolic disorders. Further potential applications of skin gene therapy include the treatment of chronic wounds, hypertrophic scars, keloids, and cancer, as well as its role in soft tissue reconstruction. Since gene therapy is a truly interdisciplinary field, this publication is recommended reading not only for dermatologists, geneticists, bioengineers, cell biologists and immunologists, but also for clinicians with an interest in cancer, metabolic diseases, skin biology and tissue engineering.Hengge, U. R. is the author of 'Gene Technology and Gene Therapy in Dermatology' with ISBN 9783805574945 and ISBN 3805574940.