Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a chronic, autoimmune dry skin disorder associated with impaired skin barrier permeability due to dysfunction of Filaggrin (FLG), protein and unknown triggering agents. In India, 2-9% of children and 2-4% of adults are affected by AD. Although multiple host genetic factors have been associated with AD, but only 14.4% of the total heritability of AD can be explained by the
m. The missing heritability can probably be explained by other external factors. Skin is the largest organ of human body harbouring trillions of microorganisms that performs important functions. Studies have shown imbalance in microbiome (dysbiosis) to be associated with several chronic inflammatory diseases. However, how does the host genome modulate the composition and diversity of the resident skin microbiome is not well known. My research interest is focused on investigating the specific host-microbiome interactions which can explain the complex etiology of AD as well as mechanistic in vitro host cell-microbial co-culture experiments which might lead to cues for future therapeutic approaches.
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