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Gene clues to help tackle skin disease

SCOTTISH researchers have identified a new gene and the way it works as a factor in a skin disease which affects thousands of people.

Dundee University experts said P34 played a key role in causing the disease punctate PPK, which gives sufferers dots of hard, thickened skin which can cause pain and discomfort.

Irwin McLean, professor of human genetics in the Centre for Dermatology and Genetic Medicine at the university, said: "We have not only found this gene but we have been able to figure out how it works, which is very important.

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