Abstract
In recent years, we have witnessed the dawn of “omics” technologies, approaches that comprehensively deal with the entire genome, transcriptome, proteome, microbiome, etc. Because of its ease of access and direct visibility, the skin was among the first targets of analysis using DNA microarrays, and dermatology was one of the first medical specialties to embrace the omics approaches, giving rise to the term “skinomics” or the use of omics techniques in dermatology and skin biology. Microarrays have been used to identify loci associated with predisposition to, e.g., psoriasis, to define skin disease markers in melanoma, and even to follow the progress and efficacy of treatment of dermatologic conditions. The aging process has been studied using omics technology in many tissues and organs, notably the brain, especially in the context of Alzheimer’s disease. Several groups studied skin aging using microarrays and related high data content methodologies. The skinomics techniques involve highly sophisticated and complex procedures. They start with sample acquisition, its processing to retrieve a complete set of DNA, RNA, protein, metabolites, etc., and then analysis using microarrays or next-generation sequencing. An essential part of skinomics is the computer-based processing of large amount of data. The bioinformaticians have assembled an impressive and continuously growing and improving tool set for data analysis. Alas, this aspect of skinomics is not yet user-friendly enough for use in clinic. Soon, however, microarrays and related “skinomics” techniques will be mature to become applicable to the personalized dermatology practice of the future.