Abstract: Methods of identifying an adjuvant capable of activating dendritic cells including measuring expression level genes in skin of an animal prior to exposure to a test compound, wherein the genes are known to be upregulated or downregulated in the skin of the animal in response to topical application of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) to skin of said animal; exposing skin of an animal of the same species to the test compound; measuring expression level of the genes in the skin of the animal after exposure to the test compound; and comparing expression level of the genes measured before and after exposure to the test compound, wherein an increase or decrease in expression level of the genes following exposure to the test compound indicates that the test compound is capable of activating dendritic cells. Also included are compositions that induce dendritic cell migration and modulate expression level of genes in skin cells.