Dr Simon G Danby

BSc (Hon) PhD

Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health

Senior Research Fellow

Simon Danby
Profile picture of Simon Danby
s.danby@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 215 9563

Full contact details

Dr Simon G Danby
Clinical Medicine, School of Medicine and Population Health
Room K123
The Medical School
Beech Hill Road
Sheffield
S10 2RX
Profile

For enquiries please contact - ClinMed-Operational@sheffield.ac.uk

Originally trained in biochemistry and molecular biology I joined the University of Sheffield in 2005 as a post-doctoral scientist in the Academic Unit of Biomedical Genetics. In this position I worked exclusively for York Pharma on the early stage development of novel therapeutics and diagnostics for atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and malignant melanoma. In 2009 I joined Sheffield Dermatology Research as a post-doctoral Research Associate. The focus of my research in this role was improving our understanding of the structure and function of the epidermal (skin) barrier and its role in the development of disorders such as atopic dermatitis (AD). At the beginning of 2012 I was awarded a 3-year unencumbered research fellowship from Johnson & Johnson to continue my research on the skin barrier and set up a dedicated research facility for conducting human skin research. Since then I have continued to conduct and lead translational dermatology research as an independent fellow.

Research interests

The skin serves as an important barrier that keeps moisture in the body and prevents the incursion of harmful exogenous agents, such as irritants and allergens, and resists the invasion of pathogens. A growing body of evidence suggests a primary role for the ‘skin barrier’ in the pathogenesis of a broad range of inflammatory skin disorders, including contact dermatitis, ichthyosis, psoriasis, rosacea and atopic dermatitis (AD). Repeated barrier disruption for instance induces epidermal hyperplasia and inflammation. Current medicine is based on the reactive treatment of these downstream consequences of skin barrier dysfunction, and includes the use of both anti-inflammatory and anti-proliferative compounds. My research focuses on increasing our understanding of the skin barrier defect and developing treatments to correct it under the following core themes:

  • Gene-environment interactions in the development of atopic dermatitis
  • Development of treatments for atopic dermatitis
  • The improvement of neonatal skincare
  • Interaction of topical pharmaceutical and cosmetic agents with the skin barrier

A greater understanding of the underlying skin barrier defect promises to firstly identify susceptible individuals early on, and secondly to deliver novel therapeutic options for targeted skin barrier repair with the potential to prevent the development of clinical disease.

Current Projects:

  • Characterisation of the skin barrier defect in atopic dermatitis using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy
  • Improving neonatal skincare: the Skin Testing for Atopic eczema Risk (STAR) study
  • Characterizing the microcirculation of atopic dermatitis using angiographic optical coherence tomography
  • Evaluation of topical emollients and bath/wash emollients
  • Effect of topical anti-inflammatory treatments on the structure and function of the skin barrier
  • Hygiene and emollient interventions for maintaining skin integrity in older people in hospital and residential care settings
  • A Comparison between Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) determined basal cell carcinoma (BCC) margins against surgeon excision margins and histology – an observational pilot study
Publications

Show: Featured publications All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Danby S, Bedwell C & Cork MJ (2014) Neonatal Skin Care and Toxicology In Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Zaenglein A & Mathes E (Ed.), Neonatal and Infant Dermatology (pp. 46-56). Saunders RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ & Danby SG (2012) Current and Future Trends: Skin Diseases and Treatment In Benson HAE & Watkinson AC (Ed.), Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery Wiley RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ & Danby S (2011) The Skin Barrier in Atopic Dermatitis. In Irvine A, Hoeger P & Yan A (Ed.), Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ, Danby SG, Vasilopoulos Y, Hadgraft J, Lane M, Moustafa M, Guy R, MacGowan A, Tazi-Ahnini R & Ward SJ (2009) Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis In Rawlings L (Ed.), Skin Moisturization USA: Informa Healthcare USA Inc.. RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

  • Danby SG, Ewence A, Rumsby P, Cork MJ, Williams HC, Rockett L & Davey HMSAUIII-PP (2011) A systematic review of skin irritation and tap water RIS download Bibtex download

All publications

Journal articles

Chapters

  • Danby SG & Cork MJ (2018) pH in Atopic Dermatitis, pH of the Skin: Issues and Challenges (pp. 95-107). S. Karger AG RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Bedwell C & Cork MJ (2014) Neonatal Skin Care and Toxicology In Eichenfield LF, Frieden IJ, Zaenglein A & Mathes E (Ed.), Neonatal and Infant Dermatology (pp. 46-56). Saunders RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ & Danby SG (2012) Current and Future Trends: Skin Diseases and Treatment In Benson HAE & Watkinson AC (Ed.), Topical and Transdermal Drug Delivery Wiley RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ & Danby S (2011) The Skin Barrier in Atopic Dermatitis. In Irvine A, Hoeger P & Yan A (Ed.), Textbook of Pediatric Dermatology, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd.. RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ, Moustafa M, Danby S, Vasilopoulos Y, Tazi-Ahnini R, Ward SJ, Hadgraft J, Lane ME, Guy R & MacGowan A (2009) Skin Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis, Basic and Clinical Dermatology (pp. 211-240). Informa Healthcare RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ, Danby SG, Vasilopoulos Y, Hadgraft J, Lane M, Moustafa M, Guy R, MacGowan A, Tazi-Ahnini R & Ward SJ (2009) Epidermal Barrier Dysfunction in Atopic Dermatitis In Rawlings L (Ed.), Skin Moisturization USA: Informa Healthcare USA Inc.. RIS download Bibtex download

Conference proceedings papers

  • Cork MJ, Leung DYM, Ong P, Danby SG, Ramirez-Gama M, Garcia S, Taylor P, Zahn J, Praestgaard A, Bologna G & Zhang A (2023) 55 Dupilumab treatment normalizes skin barrier function and improves patient-reported outcomes in patients aged 6 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Vol. 143(11) (pp S342-S342) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cork MJ, Leung DYM, Ong P, Danby SG, Ramirez-Gama M, Garcia S, Taylor P, Zahn J, Praestgaard A, Bologna G & Zhang A (2023) Dupilumab treatment normalizes skin barrier function and improves patient-reported outcomes in patients aged 6 to 11 years with moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis. JOURNAL OF INVESTIGATIVE DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 143(11) (pp S342-S342) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Vazquez IB, Danby S, Garcia Gonzalez VM, Lopez Almagro R, Crespo Crespo MI, Colley H & Murdoch C (2023) AN IN VITRO IMMUNOCOMPETENT HUMAN TISSUE-ENGINEERED MODEL OF ATOPIC DERMATITIS FOR DRUG TESTING. TISSUE ENGINEERING PART A, Vol. 29(11-12) (pp 492-492) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Barragan Vazquez I, Danby S, Garcia Gonzalez VM, Lopez Almagro R, Colley HE & Murdoch C (2022) P39: Development of an in vitro immunocompetent human skin-equivalent model. British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 187(1) (pp E29-E29). Virtual, 29 March 2021 - 29 March 2021. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Harding A, Danby S, Murdoch C, Hasan MZ & Colley H (2022) P42: Development and validation of tissue-engineered human skin equivalents to detect stinging potential. British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 187(1) (pp E31-E31). Virtual, 29 March 2021 - 29 March 2021. View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby SG, Andrew PV, Taylor RN, Kay LJ, Chittock J, Pinnock A, Ulhaq I, Fasth A, Carlander K, Holm T , Cork MJ et al (2022) EFFECTS OF EMOLLIENT CREAMS ON THE SKIN BARRIER OF PATIENTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS. ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA, Vol. 102 (pp 35-36) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chittock J, Kay L, Brown K, Cooke A, Lavender T, Cork MJ & Danby SG (2022) SKIN TESTING TO DETERMINE ATOPIC DERMATITIS RISK: AN OBSERVATIONAL BIRTH COHORT STUDY. ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA, Vol. 102 (pp 15-15) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby SG, Matcher S, Byers R, Taylor R, Sahib S, Andrew P, Brown K, Kay L, Wright C, Pinnock A , Chittock J et al (2022) A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED PHASE 2 TRIAL COMPARING THE EFFECTS OF CRISABOROLE 2% OINTMENT TO BETAMETHASONE VALERATE 0.1% CREAM ON SKIN STRUCTURE IN PARTICIPANTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS. ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA, Vol. 102 (pp 56-57) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Lin WC, Byers R, Danby S & Matcher S (2022) Assessing the severity of striae distensae using polarization-sensitive optical coherence tomography. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 187(1) (pp E22-E23) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby SG, Andrew PV, Pinnock A, Kay L, Chittock J & Cork MJ (2021) LOWERING SKIN SURFACE PH WITH A TOPICAL ZINC LACTOBIONATE PREPARATION CONTAINING PHYSIOLOGIC LIPIDS IMPROVES SKIN BARRIER STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION IN ADULTS WITH ATOPIC DERMATITIS. ACTA DERMATO-VENEREOLOGICA, Vol. 101 (pp 51-51) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby SG, Andrew P, Kay L, Pinnock A, Chittock J, Brown K & Cork MJ (2020) An investigation of the skin barrier restoring effects of a cream containing ceramides in a multivesicular emulsion in people with dry, eczema-prone, skin: The RESTORE study phase 2. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 83(6) (pp AB71-AB71) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Chittock J, Brown K, Cork MJ & Danby SG (2018) Quantification of natural moisturizing factors at the skin surface using a portable infrared spectrometer device: a pilot, calibration model. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 179(1) (pp E35-E36) View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Byers RA, Maiti R, Danby SG, Pang EJ, Mitchell B, Carré MJ, Lewis R, Cork MJ & Matcher SJ (2017) Characterizing the microcirculation of atopic dermatitis using angiographic optical coherence tomography. Proceedings of SPIE, Vol. 10037 View this article in WRRO RIS download Bibtex download
  • Jabbar-Lopez Z, Phongphit V, Ung CY, Chalmers J, Danby S, Peacock J & Flohr C (2017) The role of domestic water hardness in the development of skin barrier dysfunction and atopic eczema: a systematic review of the literature. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 177 (pp 159-159) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Wan H, Chittock J, Brown K, Wigley A & Cork M (2016) 129 Characterisation of the skin barrier defect in atopic dermatitis using in vivo ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, Vol. 136(9) (pp S182-S182) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Cooke A, Cork M, Victor S, Campbell M, Danby S, Chittock J & Lavender T (2015) A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial of topical oils for neonatal skin. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 173 (pp 153-153) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Higgs-Bayliss T, Brown K, Chittock J, Cork MJ & Danby SG (2014) Noninvasive assessment of the lipid structure and water holding properties of the stratum corneum in vivo by ATR-FTIR using a fibre optic probe in patients with atopic dermatitis and healthy controls. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 170(6) (pp E29-E29) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Brown K, Higgs-Bayliss T, Chittock J & Cork M (2014) The effect of a complex emollient cream containing 5% urea, ceramide 3 and lactic acid, compared with a simple emollient, on the skin barrier in older people with dry skin. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 171 (pp 57-58) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Chittock J, Martin KM, Cork MJ & Tierney NK (2013) Chymotrypsin-like protease activity in the stratum corneum is increased in atopic dermatitis and upon washing with soap. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 68(4) (pp AB172-AB172) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Albenali L, Danby S, Moustafa M, Chittock J, Kennedy K, Shackley F & Cork MJ (2012) Vitamin D supplementation improves atopic dermatitis and atopic dermatitis complicated by eczema herpeticum. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 167 (pp 127-127) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Al Enezi T, Chittock J, Kennedy K, Sultan A & Cork M (2011) A randomized comparison of aqueous cream and Oilatum® Junior bath additive on skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 165 (pp 44-45) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Al Enezi T, Chittock J, Kennedy K, Sultan A & Cork M (2011) A randomized comparison of aqueous cream and Oilatum® Junior bath additive on skin barrier function in atopic dermatitis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 165 (pp 115-115) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Moustafa M, MacGowan AL, Ward SJ & Cork MJ (2009) Skin protease inhibitors: a new treatment for atopic dermatitis. BRITISH JOURNAL OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 161 (pp 30-31) RIS download Bibtex download
  • (2009) British Society for Paediatric Dermatology. British Journal of Dermatology, Vol. 161 (pp 115-127) RIS download Bibtex download
  • Danby S, Moustafa M, MacGowan AL, Ward SJ & Cork MJ (2009) Skin protease inhibitors: A new treatment for atopic dermatitis. JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ACADEMY OF DERMATOLOGY, Vol. 60(3) (pp AB67-AB67) RIS download Bibtex download

Reports

  • Danby SG, Ewence A, Rumsby P, Cork MJ, Williams HC, Rockett L & Davey HMSAUIII-PP (2011) A systematic review of skin irritation and tap water RIS download Bibtex download

Posters

  • Katibi OS, Andrew P, Poyner A, Pinnock A, Brown K, Byers R, Cork M & Danby S (2023) P24 Emollient use and effects on cutaneous allergen reactions: a preliminary study. RIS download Bibtex download
Teaching interests
  • I teach on the undergraduate medical degree course (Common skin conditions and skin pharmacology) and on the Molecular Medicine MSc (Experimental medicine pathway, modules MED6020 & MED6021 Cellular and Molecular Basis of Disease)
  • I supervise undergraduate BMedSci and Research Attachment SSC projects conducted within our dedicated skin barrier research suite
  • I also deliver external educational presentations to healthcare professionals on topics covering skin physiology, skincare, atopic dermatitis and the mechanisms of topical therapies for atopic dermatitis
Professional activities and memberships
  • Member of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR)
  • Manager of the “Skin Barrier Research Facility” housing a range of bioinstrumentation for the assessment of human skin in vivo non-invasively