Yilei Cui, PhD
Assistant Research Scientist
[email protected]

Available to mentor
Yilei Cui, PhD
Assistant Research Scientist
  • About
  • Research Overview
  • Recent Publications
    • About

    Yilei Cui is an Assistant Research Scientist at the University of Michigan Department of Dermatology. Dr. Cui's research focuses on the molecular basis of chronological aging and photoaging, the regulation of dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) homeostasis, and the role of epidermal and stromal interactions in promoting skin tumorigenesis.

    Dr. Cui's current research is centered on the topic of stem cells in skin aging and aging-related inflammatory skin disorders and skin pain, epigenetic clock and employs state-of-the-art molecular methods to identify biomarkers of elders for their healthy aging.

    Research Overview

    Dr. Cui is involved in basic science, translational, and clinical research aimed at promoting healthy skin and aging.
    • Cutaneous Aging
    • Dermal Fibroblast Function
    • Pathophysiology of Skin Disorders
    • Cancer Immunity
    • Natural Compounds in Skin Aging

    Recent Publications See All Publications
    • Proceeding / Abstract / Poster
      142 The phenotype of dermal fibroblasts in young vs. aged human skin: Adaptation to dermal extracellular matrix deterioration and cell autonomous responses
      Cui Y, Worthen C, Haas R, Grill S, Shi M, Tsoi LC, Nandakumar J, Voorhees J, Zhao Y, Fisher GJ. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 2022 Aug; 142 (8): s24 DOI:10.1016/j.jid.2022.05.148
    • Journal Article
      Rejuvenation of Aged Human Skin by Injection of Cross-linked Hyaluronic Acid.
      Cui Y, Wang F, Voorhees JJ, Fisher GJ. Plast Reconstr Surg, 2021 Jan 1; 147 (1S-2): 43S - 49S. DOI:10.1097/PRS.0000000000007620
      PMID: 33347074
    • Journal Article
      Alterations in extracellular matrix composition during aging and photoaging of the skin.
      McCabe MC, Hill RC, Calderone K, Cui Y, Yan Y, Quan T, Fisher GJ, Hansen KC. Matrix Biol Plus, 2020 Nov; 8: 100041 DOI:10.1016/j.mbplus.2020.100041
      PMID: 33543036
    • Journal Article
      CD26 Identifies a Subpopulation of Fibroblasts that Produce the Majority of Collagen during Wound Healing in Human Skin.
      Worthen CA, Cui Y, Orringer JS, Johnson TM, Voorhees JJ, Fisher GJ. J Invest Dermatol, 2020 Dec; 140 (12): 2515 - 2524.e3. DOI:10.1016/j.jid.2020.04.010
      PMID: 32407715
    • Journal Article
      Atrophic and hypertrophic photoaging: Clinical, histologic, and molecular features of 2 distinct phenotypes of photoaged skin.
      Sachs DL, Varani J, Chubb H, Fligiel SEG, Cui Y, Calderone K, Helfrich Y, Fisher GJ, Voorhees JJ. J Am Acad Dermatol, 2019 Aug; 81 (2): 480 - 488. DOI:10.1016/j.jaad.2019.03.081
      PMID: 30954583
    • Journal Article
      Expression of CCN Genes and Proteins in Human Skin: Methods and Protocols.
      Cui Y, Campbell S, Fisher GJ. Methods Mol Biol, 2017 1489: 21 - 31. DOI:10.1007/978-1-4939-6430-7_3
      PMID: 27734362
    • Journal Article
      A comparative study of the effects of retinol and retinoic acid on histological, molecular, and clinical properties of human skin.
      Kong R, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, Wang X, Chen Y, Schneider LM, Majmudar G. J Cosmet Dermatol, 2016 Mar; 15 (1): 49 - 57. DOI:10.1111/jocd.12193
      PMID: 26578346
    • Journal Article
      Clinical, Histologic, and Molecular Analysis of Differences Between Erythematotelangiectatic Rosacea and Telangiectatic Photoaging.
      Helfrich YR, Maier LE, Cui Y, Fisher GJ, Chubb H, Fligiel S, Sachs D, Varani J, Voorhees J. JAMA Dermatol, 2015 Aug; 151 (8): 825 - 836. DOI:10.1001/jamadermatol.2014.4728
      PMID: 25798811