How Studying Human Skin Helps Find Better Psoriasis Treatments

Psoriasis is a long-term skin condition that affects millions of people around the world. It causes red, scaly patches that can be itchy, painful, and difficult to manage. While there are treatments available, not every option works for every person—and finding the right medication often takes time. 

That’s why researchers are turning to donated human skin samples. By studying how fresh human skin responds in the lab, scientists can test new treatments before they reach clinical trials. This makes the development process safer, faster, and more focused on what works in patients. 

How Scientists Use Skin Samples 

1. Creating a psoriasis model 
Researchers can take a tiny piece of donated healthy skin and treat it in the lab so that it behaves like skin affected by psoriasis. This “psoriasis model” helps them understand how the disease develops and how potential treatments might work.

2. Testing new medicines 
Once the model is ready, different doses of a new medicine can be applied. Scientists carefully watch to see whether the drug reduces inflammation or changes the way the skin cells behave.

3. Confirming in psoriasis patient skin 
After testing in healthy skin psoriasis models, promising medicines are also studied using fresh skin donated by people with psoriasis. This gives an even clearer picture of how well the treatment could work in actual patients. 

Why This Matters 

• More accurate predictions: By testing directly in human skin, researchers can better predict how a treatment will work in people with psoriasis. 

• Finding the right dose: Too little medicine won’t help; too much could cause side effects. Skin testing helps pinpoint the best balance. 
• Faster progress: Promising medicines can move forward more confidently, while less effective ones can be ruled out earlier 

How Research Volunteers Make a Difference 

This type of research relies on donated skin samples from both healthy volunteers and people living with psoriasis. Every contribution, no matter how small, helps researchers move closer to developing safer and more effective treatments. By supporting this work, research volunteers play a vital role in bringing new psoriasis therapies to patients more quickly, reducing the need for trial-and-error prescribing, and ultimately improving the quality of life for millions of people worldwide.

By donating skin samples, volunteers are making a direct impact on the future of medicine. These samples allow scientists to better understand how psoriasis develops and progresses, while also providing a crucial way to test how new treatments will perform in real patients. Each donation not only advances scientific knowledge but also accelerates the development of therapies that are more effective, more personalised, and capable of transforming the lives of those affected by the condition.

Be Part of the Breakthrough 

Thanks to tissue donations and research volunteer engagement, researchers are closer than ever to finding better ways to treat psoriasis. Every sample counts, and every research volunteer helps move science forward. 

Want to make a difference? Join our research volunteer registry today and see how your donation could help change the future of psoriasis care.