Japanese scientists have identified the genetic characteristics of people likely to suffer from chronic skin problems. The researchers are from the Center for Genomic Medicine at the state-backed science institute Riken. They and other scientists analyzed DNA collected from more than 3,300 Japanese who suffer atopic dermatitis, according to Japan’s (NHK WORLD) website. Atopic dermatitis is a chronic and relapsing skin disorder. They found eight new sequences of DNA which make a person likely to suffer from the skin disorder. Another seven sequences had been identified earlier by overseas researchers. The identified new sequences include immune genes and Vitamin D metabolic genes. When the level of the Vitamin D metabolic genes is low in blood, it’s believed that atopic dermatitis tends to occur. The researchers say the study identified a common genetic factor to atopic dermatitis and bronchial asthma. Riken researcher Tomomitsu Hirota says further studies of the genes in the 8 sequences will help understand the mechanism that causes the skin problem and help with developing a treatment.