Pioneers in Dermatology and Venereology: An interview with Professor John McGrath

Year of birth: 1962 British Association of Dermatologists. Dowling Club. St John's Hospital Dermatological Society. Society for Investigative Dermatology. British Society for Investigative Dermatology. European Society for Dermatological Research (President 2007–8). American Dermatological Association. Academy of Medical Sciences. Medical Society of London. During my fourth year at Guy's Hospital Medical School, I was inspired by a teacher, Dr R.S. Wells, affectionately known as Charlie. He showed a genuine interest in medical students, addressing us by our first names (a rarity in the early 1980s). He presented dermatology as a wonderful career to pursue. How right he was! My experience was not unique, however, as nearly 25% of all UK dermatologists in the 1980s came from Guy's Hospital and shared a similar influence from Charlie Wells. Apart from Dr. Wells, I benefitted from many great teachers: Prof. Robin Eady for his research skills; Prof. Malcolm Greaves for his pursuit of excellence; Prof. Martin Black for his clinical knowledge; Dr. Neil Smith for his passion for dermatology; and Prof. Jouni Uitto and Dr. Angela Christiano for introducing me to the world of molecular genetics. Prof. Jouni Uitto was undoubtedly my greatest teacher and mentor. This was my lab's first gene therapy clinical trial report. McGrath JA, Greaves MW. Aquagenic pruritus and the myelodysplastic syndrome. Br J Dermatol. 1990;123:414–415. This was my first-ever publication, hence it makes the list. McGrath JA, Gatalica B, Christiano AM, et al. Mutations in the 180-kD bullous pemphigoid antigen (BPAG2/COL17A1), a hemidesmosome transmembrane collagen, in generalized atrophic benign epidermolysis bullosa. Nat Genet. 1995;11:83–86. This was my first breakthrough publication in a top journal. McGrath JA, McMillan JR, Shemanko CS, et al. Mutations in plakophilin 1 result in ectodermal dysplasia-skin fragility syndrome. Nat Genet. 1997;17:240–244. This was my first major publication after setting up my own research group. Zhong FL, Mamai O, Sborgi L, et al. Germline NLRP1 mutations cause skin inflammatory and cancer susceptibility syndromes via inflammasome activation. Cell. 2016;167:187–202. This paper reminds me of the joy of international collaborative research. Lwin SM, Syed F, Di WL, et al. Safety and early efficacy outcomes for lentiviral fibroblast gene therapy in recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. J Clin Invest Insight. 2019;4:e126243. This was my lab's first gene therapy clinical trial report. I have been fortunate to be President of the European Society for Dermatological Research from 2007 to 2008, and a decade later, President of the European Dermatology Forum from 2017 to 2019. On a personal level, I was excited to discover the first genetic disease of desmosome cell junctions, known as ectodermal dysplasia-skin fragility syndrome (sometimes referred to as McGrath syndrome). However, I am very proud of my contributions to international dermatology. This includes conceiving and establishing the global Collegiality Awards for young investigative skin researchers, as well as helping colleagues in the Japanese Society for Investigative Dermatology in transitioning their annual meetings to spoken English. Most recently, in 2023, I was honoured to receive the Alfred-Marchionini Foundation Gold Medal at the World Congress of Dermatology Congress in Singapore. Additionally, I am thrilled to be the current editor of the British Journal of Dermatology (from 1 July 2024). Remarkably, since I started my dermatology path in 1989, there have been few. While missing out on various fellowships and some program grants at certain stages in life has brought some disappointment, I have learned to move forward. However, my main personal challenge remains the effective delivery of new treatments for patients with inherited skin diseases. The slow pace at which progress is being made in this area continues to be a source of frustration and, to some extent, disappointment. My laboratory meetings and clinics are always a source of banter and jokes. However, I am thankful that the science and the clinical care we strive for are far superior, or at least I hope so. (With apologies to all those not on this list—I rate you just as highly!) Gardening, without a doubt. I love growing giant begonias. Writer: R. Austin Freeman (the novels of Dr John Thorndyke). Composer: Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina. Painter: Yuichi Hasegawa (Japanese woodblock prints). Skin cancer rates, environmental factors, technological advances, antibiotic resistance, access to care, and mental health and skin disorders. Expectations include precision medicine and personalized treatments, more immunotherapies, advanced therapeutic delivery systems, microbiome-based skincare, impactful artificial intelligence and machine learning, regenerative medicine and digital health solutions. The world of dermatology is an amazing place. It's both a joy and privilege to be part of this incredible community of physicians, researchers and colleagues. You will always find a welcoming niche in our skin world, whether through networking or serendipity. Embrace every opportunity, as we are the lucky ones. Stay curious, work hard and travel. I'd also like to share the three tips to be a good doctor I teach our medical students: keep your fingernails clean; listen twice as much as you speak; and above all, care for your patients as if they were your own relatives. And of course, don't forget to wear sunscreen. None declared. *Note: The Pioneers in Dermatology and Venereology interview was conceived and conducted by Johannes Ring.