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Related Concept Videos

Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
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Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

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The skin is the largest organ of the human body and plays a crucial role in our sensory perception. It contains a vast network of sensory receptors that contribute to the skin's protective function by perceiving physical, biological, and environmental cues and generating relevant responses.
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Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

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Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
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Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

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The skin plays a crucial role in the synthesis of vitamin D, a vital nutrient for various physiological processes in the body. Vitamin D is unique because it can be synthesized in the skin through a series of chemical reactions triggered by exposure to ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation from sunlight.
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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails01:05

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Nails are one of the important accessory structures of the skin. They are hard, protective structures that cover the dorsal surface of the distal phalanges of fingers and toes. Nails are composed of specialized keratinized cells and serve various functions, including protection, sensation, and manual dexterity.
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The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 15, 2026

A Double Humanized BLT-mice Model Featuring a Stable Human-Like Gut Microbiome and Human Immune System
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The human skin microbiome.

Allyson L Byrd1,2,3,4, Yasmine Belkaid3,5, Julia A Segre1

  • 1Microbial Genomics Section, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland 20892, USA.

Nature Reviews. Microbiology
|January 16, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The human skin harbors a diverse microbial community that acts as a barrier against pathogens. Sequencing studies reveal skin microbial composition in health and disease, focusing on key species like Propionibacterium acnes.

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Area of Science:

  • Microbiology
  • Genomics
  • Immunology

Background:

  • The skin serves as the body's external interface, acting as a physical barrier against pathogens and hosting commensal microbiota.
  • The skin's environment (desiccated, nutrient-poor, acidic) presents challenges for microbial colonization.
  • Despite environmental challenges, the skin supports a diverse microbial ecosystem.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review amplicon and shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing studies assessing skin microbial taxonomic diversity.
  • To discuss current understanding of skin microbial communities in health and disease.
  • To highlight species dynamics, immune system interactions, and the roles of specific bacteria.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized amplicon and shotgun metagenomic DNA sequencing.
  • Analyzed microbial communities from the kingdom to the strain level.
  • Reviewed existing literature on skin microbiome composition and function.

Main Results:

  • Skin hosts a diverse range of microorganisms.
  • Metagenomic sequencing provides detailed taxonomic profiles of skin microbiota.
  • Insights into the composition of skin microbial communities in various health and disease states were gained.

Conclusions:

  • Skin microbial communities are complex and play a crucial role in host health.
  • Understanding skin microbiota dynamics is essential for addressing skin diseases.
  • Key bacteria such as Propionibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Staphylococcus aureus are central to skin microbiome research.