The research of the Skin Biology Lab focuses on the structure and function of the epidermis, the evolution of the skin at the molecular level and interactions of the skin with the environment. Recent projects have provided important insights into the following molecular and cellular processes in healthy and diseased skin: Autophagy, differentiation of keratinocytes, cornification of epidermis and hair, enzymatic processing of proteins and regulation of innate immunity.
- The research project “Autonomous pigmentation of epithelial cells”, supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), has started in March 2025. Please contact the project leader, Leopold Eckhart, if you are interested in joining this project. https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/research-radar/10.55776/PAT8918924
- In cooperation with Prof. Kris Vleminckx, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, we have determined the role of the transcription factor Hoxc13 in the evolution of cornified skin appendages, such as nails and hair. The results were published in Nature Communications: Carron M*, Sachslehner AP*, Cicekdal MB, Bruggeman I, Demuynck S, Golabi B, De Baere E, Declercq W, Tschachler E, Vleminckx K**, Eckhart L** (2024) Evolutionary origin of Hoxc13-dependent skin appendages in amphibians. Nat. Commun. 15:2328. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46373-x. *,**, contributed equally
- Two of our papers on the evolution of cornified skin appendages were published in the top-journal Molecular Biology and Evolution: Sachslehner AP, Eckhart L. Convergent Evolution of Cysteine-Rich Keratins in Horny Teeth of Jawless Vertebrates and in Cornified Skin Appendages of Amniotes. Mol Biol Evol. 2025;42(2):msaf028. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msaf028. Sachslehner AP, Surbek M, Holthaus KB, Steinbinder J, Golabi B, Hess C, Eckhart L. The Evolution of Transglutaminases Underlies the Origin and Loss of Cornified Skin Appendages in Vertebrates. Mol Biol Evol. 2024;41(6):msae100. doi: 10.1093/molbev/msae100.
- In cooperation with Prof. Kris Vleminckx, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium, we have determined the role of the transcription factor Hoxc13 in the evolution of cornified skin appendages, such as nails and hair. The results were published in Nature Communications: Carron M*, Sachslehner AP*, Cicekdal MB, Bruggeman I, Demuynck S, Golabi B, De Baere E, Declercq W, Tschachler E, Vleminckx K**, Eckhart L** (2024) Evolutionary origin of Hoxc13-dependent skin appendages in amphibians. Nat. Commun. 15:2328. doi: 10.1038/s41467-024-46373-x. *,**, contributed equally
- Attila Sachslehner has successfully defended his PhD thesis on May 15, 2024. Congratulations to Attila!
- We have started the project “Molecular evolution of skin appendages”, supported by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), in March 2023. Please contact project leader, Leopold Eckhart, if you are interested in joining this project. https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/research-radar/10.55776/P36596