🧬Congratulating Dr. Andrey Sharov on his recent NIH/NIDCR R21 grant award!

Dr. Andrey Sharov has received an NIH/NIDCR R21 award for the project, “Transposable Element Silencing in Salivary Gland Immune Homeostasis.” This project investigates how epigenetic mechanisms preserve epithelial-cell identity and immune tolerance in salivary glands, and how disruption of these mechanisms may contribute to tissue dysfunction relevant to Sjögren’s disease. This work directly complements the Department of Dermatology’s strengths in epithelial biology, immune-mediated disease, and epigenetic regulation of tissue homeostasis. The findings may establish broader principles relevant to inflammatory skin disorders, hair-follicle immune privilege, autoimmunity, and epithelial tissue regeneration.