The color of our skin, hair and eyes is determined by the light-absorbing pigment known as melanin. However, a skin pigmentation disorder can affect the color of the skin. A new study has detected 135 new genes associated with pigmentation. When targeted, these could help in developing melanin-modifying drugs for vitiligo and other pigmentation diseases, according to the study led by Indian-origin researcher.
"By understanding what regulates melanin, we can help protect lighter-skinned people from melanoma, or skin cancer," Vivek Bajpai, the lead research author, said.
