Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

4.1K
The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
4.1K
Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

5.8K
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.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
5.8K
Sensory Functions of the Skin01:16

Sensory Functions of the Skin

8.0K
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.
There are two main categories of receptors on the skin: capsulated and non-capsulated. The non-capsulated ones are mainly the pain receptors. The capsulated ones can be further categorized based on the...
8.0K
Skin Diseases and Disorders01:23

Skin Diseases and Disorders

5.2K
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.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
5.2K
Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis01:23

Role of Skin in Vitamin D Synthesis

7.7K
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.
The solar UV B rays (290-315 nm) are absorbed by the skin, and 7-dehydrocholesterol (provitamin D3) photolyzes it to previtamin D3, which undergoes a rapid transformation to vitamin...
7.7K
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails01:05

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Nails

3.3K
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.
The main components of a nail include the following.
Nail Plate: The nail plate is the visible portion of the nail that extends beyond the fingertips or toes. It is a hard, translucent...
3.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

[DNA informs on ancient partner choice].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2026
Same author

[TimeVaults provide recordings of past cellular activity].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2026
Same author

[In vivo CAR-Ts, a significant breakthrough].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2026
Same author

[House of cards?]

Medecine sciences : M/S·2026
Same author

[Towards gene therapy for Hutington's disease].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2025
Same author

[DNA reveals the living world].

Medecine sciences : M/S·2025

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
09:14

Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting

Published on: May 7, 2019

16.9K

[Human skin pigmentation: more surprises].

Bertrand Jordan1

  • 1UMR 7268 ADÉS, Aix-Marseille, Université/EFS/CNRS;   - CoReBio PACA, case 901, Parc scientifique de Luminy, 13288 Marseille Cedex 09, France.

Medecine Sciences : M/S
|May 1, 2019
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

A genome-wide association study (GWAS) identified a novel light skin variant in the MSFD12 gene among Latino-Americans. This finding suggests convergent evolution and the importance of studying diverse populations.

More Related Videos

Y-27632 Enriches the Yield of Human Melanocytes from Adult Skin Tissues
08:06

Y-27632 Enriches the Yield of Human Melanocytes from Adult Skin Tissues

Published on: July 8, 2020

6.0K
Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System
07:04

Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System

Published on: February 4, 2021

2.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jan 25, 2026

Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting
09:14

Isolation of Papillary and Reticular Fibroblasts from Human Skin by Fluorescence-activated Cell Sorting

Published on: May 7, 2019

16.9K
Y-27632 Enriches the Yield of Human Melanocytes from Adult Skin Tissues
08:06

Y-27632 Enriches the Yield of Human Melanocytes from Adult Skin Tissues

Published on: July 8, 2020

6.0K
Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System
07:04

Electroporation-Based Genetic Modification of Primary Human Pigment Epithelial Cells Using the Sleeping Beauty Transposon System

Published on: February 4, 2021

2.4K

Area of Science:

  • Human genetics
  • Population genetics
  • Evolutionary biology

Background:

  • Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are crucial for understanding genetic variation.
  • Previous research has primarily focused on European populations.
  • Investigating genetic diversity in underrepresented groups is essential.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify genetic variants associated with skin pigmentation in a mixed-ancestry Latino-American population.
  • To explore the evolutionary origins of skin pigmentation genes.
  • To emphasize the value of GWAS in diverse populations.

Main Methods:

  • Conducted a careful genome-wide association study (GWAS).
  • Analyzed a cohort of mixed-ancestry Latino-American individuals.
  • Investigated the MSFD12 gene and its variants.

Main Results:

  • Discovered a new "light" variant of the MSFD12 gene.
  • This variant appears to have originated from Asian populations that migrated to the Americas.
  • The findings suggest convergent evolution of sparsely pigmented skin in high-latitude environments.

Conclusions:

  • The study highlights the role of the MSFD12 gene in skin pigmentation.
  • Convergent evolution is indicated by the presence of this variant.
  • Performing GWAS in non-European populations is of significant interest for genetic discovery.