Scientific Advisory Board
Sarah HedtrichProfessor of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
Professor Sarah Hedtrich holds the Chair of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU) and is an Affiliate Professor at the University of British Columbia (UBC).
Her research focuses on developing next-generation therapies for genetic and inflammatory diseases, particularly those affecting the skin. By combining bioengineering, nanomedicine, and advanced human tissue models, her team investigates innovative approaches to treating diseases at their underlying molecular causes.
Her research includes pioneering work on lipid nanoparticle-mediated gene editing for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI). In 2026, her team published a groundbreaking preclinical study demonstrating the potential to correct disease-causing mutations directly in human skin.
As a scientific advisor to The ARCI Initiative, Professor Hedtrich contributes valuable expertise in gene editing, therapeutic delivery, and translational research, helping guide our efforts toward developing effective treatments for ichthyosis.
A New Era for Ichthyosis Treatment
In this interview with Global News, Professor Sarah Hedtrich, a member of The ARCI Initiative's Scientific Advisory Board, discusses groundbreaking research into gene-editing therapies for genetic skin diseases.
Her team has developed a promising approach using lipid nanoparticles and CRISPR-based gene editing to correct disease-causing mutations directly in human skin. The findings represent an important step toward developing potentially long-lasting treatments for autosomal recessive congenital ichthyosis (ARCI).
Global News | January 29, 2026 | 3 min 58 sec
Matthias SchmuthProfessor of Dermatology
Matthias Schmuth is Full Professor of Dermatology at the Medical University of Innsbruck with a secondary appointment in pathology. He is past president of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) and the Austrian Society of Dermatology and Venereology (OeGDV).
He received his medical degree in 1993 from the University Vienna, Austria and also spent post-doctoral fellowships at the University of California, San Francisco and at New York University. He is a board-certified in dermatology and venereology, allergy, and dermatohistopathology. He has mentored over 100 students and residents and co-authored over 200 scientific publications and patents.
His main clinical interests are genetic skin diseases, atopic dermatitis and hidradenitis suppurativa. His research focuses on epidermal differentiation and the permeability barrier function of the skin including studies on ichthyosis and keratoderma. He serves on the boards of the Foundation for Ichthyosis & Related Skin Types (FIRST) and EI Cure Project (EI Cure).
From Bench to Bedside: Skin Barrier Diseases
In this webinar hosted by the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), Professor Matthias Schmuth explores the science behind skin barrier diseases and the translation of laboratory research into clinical understanding and treatment.
The presentation highlights an area of research central to ichthyosis, where defects in the skin's protective barrier play a fundamental role in disease development.
ESDR Kitchen – Episode 55 | September 13, 2023
Christine BodemerProfessor of Dermatology
Professor Christine Bodemer is a distinguished dermatologist specializing in pediatric dermatology and rare genetic skin diseases at Necker–Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris, France. Throughout her career, she has dedicated herself to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life of patients affected by conditions such as ichthyosis, epidermolysis bullosa, and Netherton syndrome.
She has played a leading role in establishing national and international collaborations for rare skin diseases, including the French FIMARAD network and the European Reference Network for Rare Skin Diseases (ERN-Skin). She also serves as President of the René Touraine Foundation, which promotes dermatological research, education, and international scientific collaboration.
With more than 500 scientific publications, her contributions span clinical research, genetic skin disorders, and the development of innovative therapeutic approaches. In 2026, she received the prestigious EADV Scientific Achievement Award in recognition of her contributions to dermatology.
As a member of The ARCI Initiative's Scientific Advisory Board, Professor Bodemer brings invaluable clinical expertise and a patient-centered perspective, helping connect our mission of advancing treatments for ichthyosis with the needs of patients and the wider dermatological research community.