Abstract: Provided is a method by which a nucleic acid sample can be collected from a subject minimally invasively. A method for preparing a nucleic acid derived from a skin cell of a subject, comprising isolating the nucleic acid from skin surface lipids collected from the subject.

Abstract: A method for producing a coating film on skin, including applying a composition (B) onto the skin and applying a coating film including a deposit containing a fiber to the skin. The composition (B) includes carbon dioxide gas. A kit for forming a coating film, including a composition (B) including carbon dioxide gas and a coating film including a deposit containing a fiber or a composition for forming a coating film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating skin, comprising the following step A) and then step B): A) physically or chemically treating an epidermis of the skin; and B) forming a film containing a fiber deposit on the skin which has been subjected to the step A). When the above step B) is applied to the skin after the conventional step A), skin conditions such as inflammation, redness, and swelling caused by the step A) are alleviated, these conditions disappear more quickly, and the quality of life (QOL) of persons who have undergone the cosmetic or dermatological treatment is significantly improved.

Abstract: To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: To provide an inhibitor of melanin decomposition, which inhibits decomposition of melanin in keratinocytes to accelerate accumulation of melanin in skin and hair. An inhibitor of melanin decomposition in keratinocytes, comprising at least one selected from the group consisting of a plant extract containing berberine or a salt thereof, berberine or a salt thereof, proguanil or a salt thereof and phenformin or a salt thereof, as an active ingredient.

Abstract: Provided is a material useful for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone, prevention or amelioration of uneven skin tone by enhancing autophagic activity, and a method for evaluating or selecting an agent for preventing or ameliorating uneven skin tone using an autophagic activity-enhancing action as an indicator.

Abstract: Provided is a method by which a nucleic acid sample can be collected from a subject minimally invasively. A method for preparing a nucleic acid derived from a skin cell of a subject, comprising isolating the nucleic acid from skin surface lipids collected from the subject.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of identifying an agent which can rapidly and accurately regulate activity of androgen receptors in a sebaceous gland- and hair follicle-selective manner. A method of evaluating or selecting an androgen receptor activity regulator selective to sebaceous glands or hair follicles, the method comprising: (A) applying a test agent to cells from sebaceous glands or hair follicles under a hypoxic condition; (B) measuring HIF1? activity in the cells; (C) comparing the HIF1? activity measured in the (B) with HIF1? activity in a control group; and (D) determining a regulatory effect of the test agent on the HIF1? activity based on the result in the (C).

Abstract: Cultured sebaceous gland cells capable of accumulating lipid droplets therein are provided. A method for producing mature human sebaceous gland cells, comprising culturing immature human sebaceous gland cells under hypoxic conditions.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: Use of autophagic activity in regulation of the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte, the control of skin or hair color, or selection of an agent for regulating the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte or an agent for controlling skin or hair color.

Abstract: To provide a transformed hair follicle and a method for transferring a gene to a mammal by means of the transformed hair follicle. The invention provides a method for producing a transformed hair follicle including transferring a gene into a hair follicle by use of a virus vector, characterized by including providing a lentivirus pseudo-typed with VSV-G as a virus vector and transfecting a hair follicle with the lentivirus ex vivo.

Abstract: The present invention provides a human photoaged skin model and an animal model, and a method of making the same, for evaluating cosmetics and similar products in terms of their anti-aging or rejuvenating effect.

Abstract: Use of autophagic activity in regulation of the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte, the control of skin or hair color, or selection of an agent for regulating the amount of melanin in a keratinocyte or an agent for controlling skin or hair color.

Abstract: Provided are a gene involved in the regulation of the amount of melanin in keratinocytes, and the control of the color of skin or hair, the gene being selected from the group consisting of ATG7 gene, RAB11A gene, CLIP-170 gene, Rubicon gene and RAB7B gene, and a molecule encoded by the gene.

Abstract: A method for evaluating or selecting a substance capable of preventing or curing photodamage of skin is provided. Provided is a method for evaluating or selecting an agent for preventing or curing photodamage of skin, the method including: (A) contacting cells that are capable of expressing TIMP-1 gene or TIMP-1 protein, with a test substance; (B) measuring the expression level of the TIMP-1 gene or the TIMP-1 protein in the cells; (C) comparing the expression level obtained in (B), with the expression level of TIMP-1 gene or TIMP-1 protein in a control group in which the cells capable of expressing TIMP-1 gene or TIMP-1 protein have not been contacted with the test substance; and (D) evaluating or selecting the test substance which increases the expression level of TIMP-1 gene or TIMP-1 protein, as an agent for preventing or curing photodamage of skin, based on the results of (C).

Abstract: There is provided a screening method which can select a photoaging-preventing or improving agent or a wrinkle-preventing or improving agent with efficiency and reliability. The screening method for a photoaging- or wrinkle-preventing or improving agent selects, as a candidate, a substance inhibiting the expression of keratin 6 and/or keratin 16 genes or keratin 6 and/or keratin 16 proteins in a skin tissue or cell.

Abstract: An animal model for hyperpigmentations in which the formation of hyperpigmentations in human skin is faithfully simulated is provided. An animal model for hyperpigmentations, wherein a black person's skin is grafted onto a non-human animal, is provided.