Researchers from CCMB and other international institutions have found that socio-cultural factors had a bigger influence on skin colour variation in Indians than genetics (6.4%) and environmental factors (16%). While the SLC24A5 gene variant rs1426654-A is usually associated with lighter skin colour in most Indian populations, an intriguing pattern was seen in two specific populations studied. … Continue reading Social factors too determine skin colour of Indians
Skin colour
IIT Delhi researchers develop scar-tissue model for screening drugs
IIT Delhi researchers have through tissue engineering developed a 3D scar-tissue model for screening cosmetics and drugs. The scar model is capable of replicating all the five features that cause scar formation as well as two important cellular signaling pathways through which scar tissue are formed. The in vitro model can make animal testing redundant. Researchers … Continue reading IIT Delhi researchers develop scar-tissue model for screening drugs
IGIB discovers a protein regulating melanoma growth, pigmentation
IGIB researchers have for the first time identified a calcium sensor protein (STIM1) that independently regulates both skin cancer and pigmentation. Since different parts of the STIM1 protein activate two independent signalling pathways that control melanoma growth and pigmentation, drug can be developed to target specific sites in the STIM1 protein to control tumour growth or regulate … Continue reading IGIB discovers a protein regulating melanoma growth, pigmentation
CDFD researchers find common genetic variants for skin colour in Indians
People in south India have darker skin as reflected in the higher mean melanin index of 48 compared with those in north India, who have a mean melanin index of 39. The population in east and west India has an intermediate skin colour with a mean melanin index value of 41. A study of nearly … Continue reading CDFD researchers find common genetic variants for skin colour in Indians
Bleached girls: India and its love for light skin
In India, a light complexion is associated with power, status and beauty, fueling an innovative and growing market of skin-bleaching products. Adam Jones/Flickr, CC BY-SA Neha Mishra, Reva University of Bangalore and Ronald Hall, Michigan State University “Let’s scrub out that tan” is a common refrain in beauty parlours in India, where girls grow up … Continue reading Bleached girls: India and its love for light skin
CCMB researchers unravel the skin colour genetics of Indians
A study of skin colour of 1,167 people belonging to 27 ethnic groups living in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar found that social structure defined by the caste system has a “profound influence on skin pigmentation”. The skin colour was found to vary significantly among ethnic groups and social categories studied. Accordingly, Brahmins of Uttar Pradesh … Continue reading CCMB researchers unravel the skin colour genetics of Indians
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