The mission of the Skin Diseases Research Core is to establish an efficient way to conduct preclinical mouse studies and translational research services to investigate skin diseases for UMass Chan faculty as well as investigators from external sources. Preclinical studies will include testing novel treatments in mouse models of skin disease for efficacy and mechanism of action, as well as exploring functional contributions of cells or proteins in the pathogenesis of skin diseases. Existing mouse models include vitiligo (developed by Dr. John Harris), psoriasis (imiquimod-induced).  Translational studies will include recruiting subjects with skin diseases and sampling their skin and blood for analysis of cells and proteins. To date we have recruited vitiligo, psoriasis, and lupus patients for translational studies, and have shared samples with collaborators at UMass Chan as well as externally.