New base for skin damage research

The test will let people know how sun-damaged their skin is

Pioneering research into preventing skin cancer and sun damage is to be carried out on Tyneside.

Canada-based Genesis Genomics, which is developing an early-warning system to warn of skin damage from sun, is to set up a base at Newcastle University.

Expert Professor Mark Birch-Machin, from Newcastle University, is a co-founder of the company.

Regional development agency One NorthEast gave a £200,000 grant to the project, which should create 15 jobs.

The company plans to use the Newcastle base to push the commercial development of its skin physical test.

It aims to give patients a reliable measure of the extent of sun damage and provide personal lifestyle advice to minimise future damage.

World advances

The company's research arm will also work to provide an early indicator of skin cancer development.

Prof Birch-Machin said: "Our research group at Newcastle University is leading world advances in this field.

"The unique element of our work is being able to measure the sun burnt DNA in normal, healthy people rather than just in people who are suffering from skin cancer."

He is also working with Newcastle University researchers on new sunscreens to protect DNA from sun damage.

He hopes people will eventually be able to buy the early warning skin test from health centres and dermatologists.

The company plans to offer the skin physical test this summer and the research arm hopes to provide and early indicator of skin cancer development by 2006.