Module

Primary components

Advanced components

1. The Skin in Health

• Skin embryogenesis
• Skin structure and function
• Skin immunology
• Skin and the environment

• Directed studies
• Basic science research project

Project Management Skills 

2. The Skin in Disease*

• Inflammatory skin disorders
• Degenerative skin disorders
• Skin appendage disorders
• The skin in systemic diseases
• Genetic versus acquired disorders
• Skin infections
• Neoplasms

• Directed studies
• Basic science research project
• Research in conjunction with non-dermatology laboratories studying skin-associated systemic disease
• Clinical research project

3. Basic Skin Research Methods

• Pathology and histochemistry
• Microscopy and ultrastructure
• Genomics and proteomics
• Biophysics
• Immunologic techniques
• Cell and organ culture
• Animal models
• Good Laboratory Practice

• Research laboratory rotations with hands-on experience with advanced techniques
• Preparation of a CIHR-level research proposal

4. Clinical Skin Research Methods

• Clinical trials, phases I to IV
• Pharmacology of the skin
• Drug and device development
• Good Clinical Practice
• Quality improvement

• Clinical projects and trials
• Preparation of a full clinical research protocol including ethics review
• Quality improvement studies

5. Skin Research and Society

• Ethics and regulatory issue
• Intellectual property
• Advocacy
• Prevention strategies
• Cultural and gender issues
• Psychosocial and economic impacts

• Directed studies
• Interactions with patient support groups, industry, and regulatory bodies
• Preparation of patent filing

6. Bioinformatics & Epidemiology

• Bioinformatics
• Biostatistics
• Hypothesis testing
• Critical and power analysis
• Epidemiology of skin disease

• Direct interactions with mentors for projects
• Directed studies