Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section

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Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section
Benefits of DTSS Membership
What is Dermal Toxicology?
The Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section
The Officers of the DTSS
The skin, as the largest and most visible organ
of the body, is subject to constant exposure to a
wide range of materials. These materials may be
natural or synthetic and can be biological,
chemical or physical in origin. The skin itself
may be the target of these agents or they may be
absorbed into the body to cause toxicity in other
organs. Dermal toxicology is, therefore, the
study of the adverse reactions of the skin
resulting from such exposures. A main focus of
the research within the field of dermal
toxicology is involved in predicting such
reactions when the skin is exposed to a
particular agent. Cutaneous risk assessments are
a primary tool used in the cosmetics industry as
well as determining both occupational and
environmental exposures. Dermal toxicology is
also a major factor in the development of topical
pharmaceuticals. Transdermal delivery of
medication requires penetration of the skin
barrier so as to maximize absorption while
minimizing local irritation and toxicity. The
formulation of medications targeted to the skin
must also achieve this balance. In addition, the
application of materials to the skin must be
accounted for in pharmacokinetic models for
transport of substances throughout the
body. Basic research in skin biology also
provides ample opportunities for investigation in
dermal toxicology. This research offers a more
complete understanding of the molecular
mechanisms underlying the processes involved in
the generation of these adverse reactions. With
this information, improved models could be
produced that allow for more accurate
predications of potential toxicity as well as
provide potential molecular targets for the
prevention and treatment of these reactions.
The Dermal Toxicology Specialty Section provides
an opportunity for interactions between
scientists involved in skin toxicology,
pharmacology and basic skin biology. The areas of
research encompassed by Dermal Toxicology include
both mechanistic studies of toxicity to the skin
itself as well as toxicity to other organs due to
absorption through the skin. Of particular
interest is the application of these results to
the production of risk assessment models for
cutaneous exposure to a wide range of potential
toxicants, ranging from environmental agents to
synthetic chemicals to cosmetics. As results,
research within Dermal Toxicology has broad
applications in such areas as carcinogenesis,
alternative model systems, pharmacokinetics and
regulatory issues. In order to promote research
within the field, the Dermal Toxicology Specialty
Section offers student and post-doctoral awards
at the SOT Annual Meeting for accepted abstracts
as recognition for exceptional research involving
skin toxicology and pharmacology. In the past, a
generous contribution from the publishing
company, Taylor and Francis, has supplemented
these awards with a check and a subscription to
Cutaneous and Ocular Toxicology.

• Awards
• Networking
• Access to people in the field
• Free membership

Vice-President James N. McDougal, Ph.D. Wright
State University Interests skin absorption,
molecular biology of skin irritation, systems
biology, and biologically-based toxicokinetic
models
President Robert L. Bronaugh, Ph.D. U.S.
FDA Interests The percutaneous absorption and
metabolism of topically applied chemicals
Take the Skin Quiz

• The Skin Quiz
• Why take the Skin Quiz?
• Its easy!
• Youre guaranteed to pass!
• You dont have to study!
• Youll be registered to win a memory stick!
• All participants will be entered into a drawing
  to win a
• 1 G memory stick. The winner will be announced
  at
• the DTSS Annual Meeting on Wednesday, March 5
  from 600 to 730 pm.
• You have to be in it to win it!

Secretary-Treasurer Cindy A. Ryan Procter
Gamble Interests The development of a
cell-based in vitro alternative method for skin
sensitization testing
Vice-President Elect David W. Hobson, Ph.D.,
DABT HH Scientific Services, LLP InterestsDermat
opharmaceutical RD, tissue repair and wound
healing product RD, risk assessment and
toxicolkinetics / pharmacokinetics
Senior Councilor Debra Laskin, Ph.D. Rutgers
University Interests Immunotoxicology,
inflammation, and immune mechanisms in liver and
lung lnjury
Junior Councilor Bill Reifenrath, Ph.D. Stratacor
Inc Interests Topical drug development, models
for skin absorption, chemistry of arthropod
attractants/repellents
Past-President Nancy Monteiro-Riviere,
Ph.D. North Carolina State University Interests
Dermatotoxicology, chemical absorption and
nanomaterial interactions with skin both in vivo
and in vitro
Student Representative Adrienne Black Rutgers
University Interests Mechanisms of
ultraviolet light signal transduction