Non-invasive method for comprehensive skin whole genome methylome mapping

Banila, C et. al., Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Volume 143, Issue 5; May 2023

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Aging and sun exposure are the leading causes of skin cancer. It has been shown that epigenetic changes, such as DNA methylation, are well established mechanisms for cancer. However, large scale epigenetic data acquisition is a problem as it relies mostly on invasive biopsies. Here we present a method for non-invasive skin sample collection using tape-stripping for epigenetic analysis.

Reviewed by Dr. Cristiana Banila, PhD, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) and Co-Founder of Mitra Bio

As a molecular biologist, Cristiana contributed to development of an epigenetic test for cervical cancer screening which is currently in trial by the NHS. She is translating her know-how to developing epigenetic skin tests for Mitra Bio. She is Oxford and Princeton alumna.