Now in our 13th year of bringing you beautiful imagery from biomedical science every day

Search the archive of over 4000 images

Tightening Up Skin
17 September 2015

Tightening Up Skin

Keratin is a key component of our skin, hair and nails, and more in-depth research has shown that it takes on other important roles in our cells. Scientists interrupted the normal occurrence of a keratin protein, Krt76, in the skin of a mouse (pictured dyed pink in a hair follicle), but found that this also affected a gene called Cldn1 in the tight junctions – which hold cells together. Skin flaking, hyperpigmentation, inflammation of the skin, and defective wound healing – where skin or tissue can’t repair itself after an injury – were some of the symptoms seen after this disruption. The interaction between Krt76 and Cldn1 is therefore crucial for maintaining the integrity of the skin. Additional research into this new finding will help to further our understanding of skin diseases.

Written by Katie Panteli

Search The Archive

Submit An Image

Follow on Tumblr

Follow on Instagram

What is BPoD?

BPoD stands for Biomedical Picture of the Day. Managed by the MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences until Jul 2023, it is now run independently by a dedicated team of scientists and writers. The website aims to engage everyone, young and old, in the wonders of biology, and its influence on medicine. The ever-growing archive of more than 4000 research images documents over a decade of progress. Explore the collection and see what you discover. Images are kindly provided for inclusion on this website through the generosity of scientists across the globe.

Read More

BPoD is also available in Catalan at www.bpod.cat with translations by the University of Valencia.