Research Groups and Centers

Penn Dermatology sponsors and partners with several core facilities and centers to advance basic research, translational research and clinical applications of cutaneous diseases.

Penn Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC)

Rapid translation of basic information in cutaneous biology to preclinical studies and clinical practice is becoming a realistic prospect due to the ever-increasing sophistication of basic research on development, regeneration, immunology, and diseases of the skin, together with powerful new technologies for gathering and analyzing genome-wide and population based data at Penn SBDRC.

The goals of the Penn SBDRC are to leverage our strengths in basic and translational science and dermatoepidemiology, to support outstanding basic research in cutaneous biology and diseases and to promote the critical transition from bench research to bedside practice.

Learn more about Penn Skin Biology and Diseases Resource-based Center (SBDRC)

Center for DermatoEpidemiology and Translation (CDET)

The mission of the Center for DermatoEpidemiology and Translation (CDET), directed by David Margolis, MD, PhD, is to become the world’s leading center focusing on cutaneous epidemiological research and clinical evaluation aspects of translational research. CDET serves as the intellectual home for established faculty, new faculty and trainees. CDET is an interdepartmental home for investigators from many disciplines who are interested in cutaneous diseases including: infectious disease, pediatrics, allergy and pulmonology, autoimmune disease, cardiovascular disease, international medicine, regenerative medicine, cancer biology, surgical oncology and of course, dermatology.

Dermatology Clinical Effectiveness Research Network (DCERN)

The Dermatology Clinical Effectiveness Research Network (DCERN) is a partnership of dermatology practices across the United States that performs scientifically sound clinical research critical to advancing the care of dermatologic disorders. Current DCERN comparative studies assist physicians with making informed treatment decisions and improve the quality of care for patients with moderate to severe psoriasis. The principal investigator of DCERN is Joel M. Gelfand, MD, MSCE.

Learn more about the Dermatology Clinical Effectiveness Research Network (DCERN)