11.09.15
Scalp care is skin care and maybe, much, much more. Procter & Gamble Co. scientists who worked on Head & Shoulders shampoo participated in a study that could lead to treatment for a variety of skin diseases; a list that includes dandruff, eczema, seborrheic dermatitis and even skin cancer. The scalp contains two species of Malassezia, which is a type of yeast that feeds on fatty lipids that are naturally secreted. The link between dandruff and the two species of Malassezia was discovered by P&G inventor Thomas Dawson and his team of scientists in 2007. That led to improvements in the formula for Head & Shoulders.
Dawson, who left P&G earlier this year after more than 16 years with the company, was principal author of a new paper that recounted how a team of scientists completed the first comprehensive genomic and biologic study of all species of Malassezia. The study, which has implications for dermatology and immunology, was published in the November issue of PLOS Genetics. Also involved in the study were researchers from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute and P&G, which has a research and development center in Singapore.
The team sequenced the genomes of all known Malassezia, which enabled the scientists to identify reasons the fungi might thrive on human skin. As a result, scientists can begin figuring out ways to control the fungi and restore healthy skin.
“This new information will allow us to better understand healthy versus unhealthy skin and hopefully learn to modulate the skin microbiome so as to transform unhealthy into perfect, healthy skin,” Dawson said.
The scientists also discovered a gene unique to Malassezia. By targeting the gene, it might be possible to eliminate Malassezia on human skin or at least weaken its growth, the scientists said. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs that could combat a variety of skin diseases.
“This study helps us understand how a microscopic organism that lives on the skin can give rise to a common disease like eczema … as well as to serious conditions like skin cancer,” said Benjamin Seet, executive director of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council. “Our partnership with P&G opens doors to important research that will benefit patients suffering from these conditions.”
Dawson, who left P&G earlier this year after more than 16 years with the company, was principal author of a new paper that recounted how a team of scientists completed the first comprehensive genomic and biologic study of all species of Malassezia. The study, which has implications for dermatology and immunology, was published in the November issue of PLOS Genetics. Also involved in the study were researchers from A*STAR’s Genome Institute of Singapore, A*STAR’s Bioinformatics Institute and P&G, which has a research and development center in Singapore.
The team sequenced the genomes of all known Malassezia, which enabled the scientists to identify reasons the fungi might thrive on human skin. As a result, scientists can begin figuring out ways to control the fungi and restore healthy skin.
“This new information will allow us to better understand healthy versus unhealthy skin and hopefully learn to modulate the skin microbiome so as to transform unhealthy into perfect, healthy skin,” Dawson said.
The scientists also discovered a gene unique to Malassezia. By targeting the gene, it might be possible to eliminate Malassezia on human skin or at least weaken its growth, the scientists said. The discovery could lead to the development of drugs that could combat a variety of skin diseases.
“This study helps us understand how a microscopic organism that lives on the skin can give rise to a common disease like eczema … as well as to serious conditions like skin cancer,” said Benjamin Seet, executive director of A*STAR’s Biomedical Research Council. “Our partnership with P&G opens doors to important research that will benefit patients suffering from these conditions.”