About

Jonathan Zippin is a researcher based at Weill Cornell Medicine, where his lab employs a wide range of biological systems to investigate skin biology. His work focuses on understanding how non-canonical cAMP signaling pathways and distinct cAMP micro domains function in normal skin biology and disease. The Zippin lab utilizes genetically engineered mouse models, mouse and human cell lines, and tumor organoids, applying techniques such as biochemical, transcriptomic, proteomic, and mass spectrometry analyses to unravel the role of these signaling pathways in melanocytes, keratinocytes, and T cells under both normal and pathological conditions. His research aims to better understand cAMP signals in the skin to establish novel biomarkers for disease and identify therapeutic targets. The lab adopts an interdisciplinary approach to reveal the underpinnings of cAMP signaling pathways in skin disease and translate these findings into clinical innovation. Based in New York City within the department of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College, his work also involves active collaboration with the department of pharmacology, the Sandra and Edward Meyer Cancer Center, and the Englander Institute of Precision Medicine. Through his research, Zippin has contributed to the development of novel cancer diagnostics and therapeutic targets, advancing the understanding of skin biology and disease.

Research topics

• Medicine
• Pathology
• Dermatology
• Immunology
• Biology
• Internal medicine
• Cancer research

Selected publications

• Occupational contact dermatitis in North American health care workers: Trends and triggers (2005-2022)

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2026-03-01

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Genome-Wide Insights into the Genes and Pathways Shaping Human Foveal Development

  medRxiv · 2025-06-20

  preprintOpen access

  Abstract Here we report the first genome-wide association study of foveal pit depth. In a cohort of 61,269 individuals, we identified 123 genome-wide significant loci associated with pit depth, including 47 novel associations not previously linked to macular traits. Using 12 complementary variant-to-gene mapping strategies, we prioritised 128 putative causal genes, 64 of which have not previously been implicated in foveal development. Our findings reveal previously unrecognised biological influences on foveal morphogenesis, including retinoic acid metabolism (implicating CYP26A1 for the first time in human foveal development), extracellular matrix and cytoskeletal dynamics, and retinal cell fate determination. In addition, rare-variant analysis uncovered two further gene associations, including ESYT3 , a gene not previously linked to foveal structure. Together, these results provide new insights into the genetic architecture and molecular pathways underlying human foveal development, and offer a foundation for future functional studies aimed at characterising foveal development and disease.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Comparison Between Brazilian Propolis and Chinese Propolis: Results From the North American Contact Dermatitis Group 2019–2022

  Dermatitis · 2025-12-05 · 1 citations

  articleOpen access

  Abstract: Background: Prevalence of positive patch test (ppt) reactions to propolis in Europe has varied with different allergen source origins. Compared with previous cycles, the North American Contact Dermatitis Group (NACDG) noted a marked increase in propolis positivity in 2019–2020. Objective: To compare propolis positivity in North American centers between 3 periods (2019, 2020, and 2021/2022), based on geographic origin and supplier. Methods: Retrospective analysis of NACDG patch test data (2019–2022) utilizing 3 different sources of propolis: Chinese propolis (Allergeaze—CPA), Chinese propolis (Chemotechnique—CPC), and Brazilian propolis (Allergeaze—BPA). Results: Proportions of ppt reactions to propolis were: 3.7% (84/2260) to CPA in 2019, 14.7% (271/1838) to BPA in 2020, and 2.2% (66/3052) to CPC in 2021/2022. There was a statistically significant difference in prevalence of reactions for BPA compared with both CPA and CPC ( P < 0.00001). Conclusions: When unexpected changes are noted in patch test positivity, especially with naturally derived allergens, the reasons behind those changes should be investigated. The substitution of Brazilian for Chinese propolis resulted in a significant increase in ppt reactions.

  PublisherDOI

• Updated expert opinion guidelines regarding the effects of immunosuppressive agents on patch testing

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2025-02-03 · 1 citations

  article
  PublisherDOI

• Ampyrone (4-Aminoantipyrine) is a Direct Agonist of Human Tyrosinase and Potential Therapeutic for Oculocutaneous Albinism and Disorders of Hypopigmentation

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-10-15

  preprintOpen accessCorresponding

  Abstract Significant loss of pigmentation can increase visual disability, skin cancer risk, and psychosocial stress. Tyrosinase (TYR) catalyzes the first and rate-limiting step of melanin synthesis. Inhibitors of TYR are well established and are currently used in clinical settings; however, there is a dearth of direct activators of TYR. Here, using a unique human TYR construct, high-throughput screening, and computational analysis techniques, we identified ampyrone as a TYR activator. Ampyrone increased the in vitro catalytic activity of the intramelanosomal domain of human TYR (hTYR) and its hypomorphic variant, P406L, a cause of oculocutaneous albinism type 1B (OCA1B). Moreover, ampyrone induced melanin synthesis in both wild-type and OCA1B human melanocytes, as well as 3-dimension (3D) human skin cultures. Our results reveal ampyrone as a lead compound for first-in-class TYR activators, potentially accelerating the discovery of novel therapies for patients with genetic and acquired diseases of hypopigmentation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Genome-Wide Insights Into the Genes and Pathways Shaping Human Foveal Development: Redefining the Genetic Landscape of Foveal Hypoplasia

  Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science · 2025-09-09 · 3 citations

  articleOpen access

  Purpose: To define the genetic architecture of foveal morphology and explore its relevance to foveal hypoplasia (FH), a hallmark of developmental macular disorders. Methods: We applied deep-learning algorithms to quantify foveal pit depth from central optical coherence tomography (OCT) B-scans in 61,269 UK Biobank participants. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted using REGENIE, adjusting for age, sex, height, and ancestry. Rare coding variants (frequency <1%) were analyzed in an exome-wide rare-variant association study (RVAS). Candidate genes were prioritized using integrative mapping; pathway, cross-ancestry, and genetic-correlation analyses were exploratory. Results: GWAS identified 126 sentinel variants, including 47 novel associations. Integrative mapping prioritized 129 putative causal genes, with 64 not previously implicated in foveal biology. Enriched pathways included retinoic acid metabolism (e.g., CYP26A1), photoreceptor differentiation (e.g., VSX2), extracellular matrix organization, and pigmentation. RVAS identified missense variants in ACTN3 and ESYT3 (P < 5 × 10-⁹) associated with FH features. Polygenic scores were predictive across African and South Asian ancestries. Overlap was observed with monogenic FH genes (TYR, OCA2, PAX6, AHR) and with genes underlying systemic diseases (COL11A1, KIF11, TUBB4B, PHYH). Re-examination of OCTs in affected individuals confirmed FH in select cases, including those with recurrent TUBB4B p.(Arg390Trp) variants. Conclusions: This is the first GWAS of human foveal morphology. Our findings redefine the genetic and biological framework underlying normal foveal development and foveal hypoplasia (FH). By linking common variation to rare monogenic disease, we establish a continuum model of FH with implications for future mechanistic and clinical investigation.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Pan-Cancer PDOs Preserve Tumor Heterogeneity and Uncover Therapeutic Vulnerabilities

  bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) · 2025-04-17

  preprintOpen access

  ABSTRACT We developed a tumor-matched, pan-cancer patient-derived organoid (PDO) platform comprising 220 PDOs from 190 patients across 15 cancer types to advance functional precision oncology. Our comprehensively characterized PDOs showed 93% histopathology concordance, 80% median genomic concordance for driver mutations, and a 0.85 median gene expression correlation with parent tumors. Gene expression in PDOs remained stable across ≥ 10 passages, supporting reproducibility for long-term drug screening. Even PDOs with low genomic concordance retained oncogenic drivers, supporting their use as disease models. Clonality analysis revealed that 85% of PDOs preserved dominant tumor clones. Higher genomic concordance was associated with greater clonal similarity, while lower genomic concordance was associated with clonal divergence. Functional assays showed that 58% of PDOs from a subset of patients ineligible for FDA-approved PARP inhibitors responded to Talazoparib, with sensitivity linked to alterations in DNA damage repair. Combination screens revealed drugs that effectively overcame resistance, especially in TP53-mutant PDOs. In summary, our platform supports investigation of targeted therapies, identification of molecular features linked to drug sensitivity, and translational discovery, offering insights into personalized cancer treatment beyond current biomarker guidelines.

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• #ECR-Paper-05 Genome-wide insights into the genes and pathways shaping human foveal development

  2025-10-01

  articleOpen access

  a key feature of conditions such as

  PublisherOA PDFDOI

• Author response: The interferon-rich skin environment regulates Langerhans cell ADAM17 to promote photosensitivity in lupus

  2024-03-08

  peer-reviewOpen access

  Interferon contributes to photosensitivity at least in part by causing Langerhans cell ADAM17 dysfunction, raising the possibility that anifrolumab ameliorates lupus skin disease in part by restoring Langerhans cell function.

  PublisherDOI

• Photodermatoses in patients with atopic dermatitis: A 10-year retrospective cohort study

  Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology · 2024-02-18

  articleOpen accessSenior authorCorresponding
  PublisherOA PDFDOI

Recent grants

• Uncovering the role of m6A in the melanocyte response to ultraviolet light

  NIH · $215k · 2018–2020

• Uncovering the role of m6A in the melanocyte response to ultraviolet light

  NIH · $184k · 2018–2020

• NIH Grant K08CA160657

  NIH · $856k · 2016

Frequent coauthors

• Lloyd Miller

  Johns Hopkins University

  87 shared

• James G. Krueger

  Rockefeller University

  86 shared

• Janssen Immunology

  Pfizer (United Kingdom)

  81 shared

• Lars Kruse

  Sanofi (Mexico)

  81 shared

• Bausch Health

  Pfizer (United Kingdom)

  81 shared

• Evan W. Piette

  Harvard University

  81 shared

• Jean‐Philippe Therrien

  North Carolina State University

  81 shared

• Alexa B. Kimball

  Mount Sinai Medical Center

  81 shared