When you have a skin condition like psoriasis or eczema (also known as atopic dermatitis), flare-ups can feel endless — red, itchy, inflamed skin that seems impossible to calm. But what if your skin could help researchers understand why this happens, and lead to better treatments for the future?
That’s where our research volunteer registry comes in. Rather than relying on leftover tissue from surgeries, the registry helps connect willing volunteers — both healthy individuals and those with diagnosed skin conditions — with researchers who study donated tissue samples under strict ethical approval. This makes it possible to provide high-quality, research-specific skin samples that reflect real human biology. By volunteering, participants directly support scientific discoveries that could lead to more effective, targeted treatments for chronic inflammatory skin diseases.
Under the microscope, diseased skin tells a story. Researchers can see how immune cells gather in the tissue, which chemical signals are released, and how skin cells react to this constant immune activity. In psoriasis, they might observe the overactive immune response that causes skin cells to grow too quickly. In eczema, they can study the inflammation that damages the skin barrier and causes dryness and itching.
By comparing samples from different people, scientists can spot patterns — like which signals are strongest in certain types of inflammation or how new treatments might calm the immune response. Every donation helps make these discoveries possible.
All donations are treated with the utmost care and respect. Every donor gives informed consent, and no identifying details are ever shared with researchers. The tissue is used strictly for scientific purposes, and each sample contributes to studies designed to improve understanding and treatment of inflammatory skin conditions.
Your skin could hold the key to more personalized, effective treatments for people living with psoriasis and eczema. By helping researchers study inflammation where it actually happens — in real human tissue — you’re supporting science that makes a difference.
If you’d like to learn more about how skin donations are used in research, or how you can get involved, visit our volunteer registry website to find out more.