Contact Details:

Name:Denis Headon

Address:The Roslin Institute University of Edinburgh Easter Bush

County:Midlothian

Postal Code:EH25 9RG

Email:denis.headon@roslin.ed.ac.uk

Telephone:0131 651 9160

Website:

Summary of Research

My groups research is focussed on the embryonic development of the skin and its appendages, and on how these developmental processes impact on the adult phenotype. We use a number of animal models to understand the genetic basis of appendage formation and to interrogate how distinct signalling pathways are integrated to define the structure of the skin.

We focus in particular on the EDAR, BMP, WNT and FGF pathways, addressing how these are dysregulated in ectodermal dysplasias, and on how increased EDAR pathway function in human populations with East Asian ancestry cause changes to a range of skin appendages, including hair follicles and glands. We maintain a number of mouse models with altered Edar pathway function which serve as good models for human conditions of absent or increased EDAR signalling. These lines, or samples from them, are available to anyone with an interest in this pathway.

Current Research Interests

• Human hair diversity
• EDAR pathway
• Ectodermal dysplasias