Dr. Sivamani Research Lab

Raja Sivamani, M.D., M.S., C.A.T.
Assistant Professor

Waqas Burney
Postdoc

Research Interests:
My research focuses in two areas: sebaceous gland disease and bioengineering adaptations for dermatology. To pursue my research, I integrate concepts from bioengineering, Allopathic medicine, and Ayurvedic medicine. By integrating concepts from Ayurvedic medicine, plant sciences, and food sciences, I look to better understand how we can better integrate nature for individualized medical therapies. By integrating engineering with medicine, I hope we can develop and deliver care in innovative and effective ways.

The sebaceous gland is a lipid-producing gland in the skin that serves several important roles including maintenance of the skin barrier and delivery of antioxidants like Vitamin E to the skin surface. However, dysfunction of the sebaceous gland can lead to diseases such as acne. My research is focused on understanding the biology of the sebocyte, which are the cells that compose the sebaceous gland. My laboratory work focuses on understanding the cellular pathways that drive how nutritional components alter sebocyte and sebaceous gland behavior.

A second facet of my research is to apply bioengineering concepts for dermatology research. Here, my focus centers on transdermal drug delivery. The skin is our largest organ. Yet, it is protected by a barrier known as the stratum corneum . My research focuses on creative solutions to bypass this barrier in a safe manner to allow for the delivery of agents in hopes of more effectively delivering medicines and nutrients that promote skin beauty and health.

1. Sivamani RK, Shi B, Griffths E, Vu SM, Lev-Tov HA, Dahle S, Chigbrow M, Dihn La T, Mashburn C, Peavy TR, Isseroff RR, Wounding alters the beta2-adrenergic signaling and catecholamine synthetic pathways in keratinocytes, Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2014, in press.
2. Fisk WA, Lev-Tov HA, Sivamani RK, The use of botanical agents in the treatment of acne. Current Reports in Dermatology, 2014, in press.
3. Fisk WA, Agbai O, Lev-Tov HA, Sivamani RK, The Use of Botanically Derived Agents for Hyperpigmentation: A Systematic Review, Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, 2014; 70(2): 352-65. PMID: 24280646
4. Millsop JW, Sivamani RK, Fazel N, Botanical Agents for the Treatment of Non-melanoma Skin Cancer, Dermatology Research and Practice, 2013: 837152. PMID: 23983679
5. Chahal DS, Sivamani RK, Isseroff RR, Dasu MR, Plant-Based Modulation of Toll-like Receptors: An Emerging Therapeutic Model. Phytotherapy Research, 2013; 27(10): 1423-38. PMID 23147906
6. Sivamani RK, Goodarzi H, Garcia MS, Raychaudhuri SP, Wehrli LN, Ono Y, Maverakis E. Biologic Therapies in the Treatment of Psoriasis: A Comprehensive Evidence-Based Basic Science and Clinical Review and a Practical Guide to Tuberculosis Monitoring. Clinical Review of Allergy and Immunology, 2013; 44(2):121-40. PMID 22311162
7. Sivamani RK, Schwartz MP, Anseth KS, Isseroff RR, Keratinocytes induce human mesenchymal stem cell differentiation down multiple lineages, FASEB Journal, 2011; 25(1): 122-31. PMID 20847231
8. Fitzmaurice SD, Sivamani RK, Isseroff RR, Antioxidant therapies for wound healing: A clinical guide to currently available products, Skin Physiology and Pharmacology, 2011; 24: 113-26. PMID 21242718
9. Sivamani RK, Ghiya M, Maibach HI, Shedding light on sunscreens and their labels: Testing policies need to match actual use, American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 2010; 38(6): 679-81. PMID 20494247
10. Alikhan A, Sivamani RK, Mutizwa MM, Felsten LM, Advice for fourth year medical students beginning the dermatology residency application process: Perspectives from interns who matched, Dermatology Online Journal, 2009; 15(10): 3. PMID 19951621