This book intends to investigate the broad spectrum of genetic changes in immunological processes involved in cutaneous diseases. One of the main goals of immunogenetic studies is finding susceptibility genes for complex diseases. This can provide an insight into the pathogenesis of the condition in a way that is not easily achievable through other kinds of studies. Thus they are a rational initial step for generating hypotheses about disease pathogenesis. This may especially benefit dermatology, a field notorious for having too many diseases with unknown etiologies.

Immunogenetic investigations have made targeted treatment strategies possible for diseases such as psoriasis and pemphigus. Even though these strategies have revolutionized the management of chronic dermatological conditions such as psoriasis, still there are a lot of unanswered questions. For instance, psoriasis patients respond very differently to each of the commercially available biological agents. This diversity could be partially explained by the differences in the sets of genes responsible for disease induction in each individual. Thus whole genome sequencing strategies, if feasible at individual levels, might help in tailoring these targeted treatments based on specific genetic backgrounds.

Our intention in preparing this book was to explore the broad spectrum of the genetic aspects of immunological processes involved in cutaneous diseases. We have tried to cover most areas of dermatology where enough studies were available to gather a chapter. Still, there is a substantial lack of knowledge on the immunogenetics of many dermatological conditions. We hope that this book would encourage the investigators to fill these gaps of knowledge.

dermatology auto-immunity gene polymorphisms single nucleotide variants psoriases melanoma skin cancer

Nima Rezaei gained his medical degree (MD) from Tehran University of Medical Sciences and subsequently obtained an MSc in Molecular and Genetic Medicine and a PhD in Clinical Immunology and Human Genetics from the University of Sheffield, UK. He also spent a short-term fellowship of Pediatric Clinical Immunology and Bone Marrow Transplantation in the Newcastle General Hospital.  Professor Rezaei is now the Full Professor of Immunology and Vice Dean of International Affairs, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and the co-founder and Head of the Research Center for Immunodeficiencies. He is also the founding President of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN). Prof. Rezaei has already been the Director of more than 50 research projects and has designed and participated in several international collaborative projects. Prof. Rezaei is an editorial assistant or board member for more than 30 international journals. He has edited more than 30 international books, has presented more than 500 lectures/posters in congresses/meetings, and has published more than 1,000 scientific papers in the international journals.

Fateme Rajabi is a board-certified dermatologist. She gained her medical degree from Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2014 and subsequently attended a dermatology residency at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences. She is currently affiliated with the Center for Research & Training in Skin Diseases & Leprosy, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, and manages several research committees including the Network of Dermatological Research (NDR) an interest group of Universal Scientific Education and Research Network (USERN).