Rebecca Harris

• BSc (Hons) Biochemistry
• Development of biomarkers to predict response to ultraviolet-B treatment in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is an autoimmune disease which affects 2-3% of the western population. The cause is not understood and appears to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. One available treatment is narrow-band ultraviolet B radiation at a wavelength of 311nm, however the mechanism by which this works is unknown. This research aimed to give insight into the mechanism of plaque clearance by UVB therapy using immunostaining at the protein level based on genes which appear to change after the therapy. This may lead to the identification of a biomarker which would identify patients who may respond well.

Project Supervisor: Prof Nick J Reynolds, Institute of Neuroscience

Funding source: Newcastle University