Most of us have experienced the problem of skin inflammation whether it was sensitivity to a new topically applied cream or a nasty insect bite. We usually then go to the local pharmacy and purchase a steroid preparation perhaps containing hydrocortisone, in addition a local anesthetic such as lidocaine and maybe an antihistamine. Inflammation as a biochemical process is complex with multiple pathways and outcomes (pain, redness, edema, etc.) and is also part of so many dermatological diseases (dermatitis, oxidative stress, etc.).
On Monday August 11th at 5.30pm at Rutgers Life Sciences Building, we host our Center for Dermal Research seminar speaker Michael Southall, Ph.D. who is the Research Director & Fellow at Johnson and Johnson Consumer & Personal Products Worldwide (CPPW) and who comes to us with a wealth of experience in skin inflammation research. Dr. Southall has been twice awarded the Johnson Medal, the highest scientific recognition at J & J for excellence in research. He has published over 40 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on inflammation, oxidative stress and natural products and is an inventor on 14 granted patents and 60 patent applications.
Dr. Southall will talk to us about sertaconazole nitrate, a topical antifungal agent that was found to possess anti-inflammatory properties. The way this compound works has been elucidated by the J &J group led by Dr. Southall and it was found that prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was elevated in sertaconazole treated mice. The mechanism of action was also identified as involving the p38-cyclooxygenase-2- PGE2 signaling pathway in skin. This should be an interesting lecture and I hope to see you there.
