14 October 2012 Last updated at 20:02 ET

A team led by the University of Dundee believes it has made a significant step in understanding a skin disease which affects thousands in the UK.

Researchers have identified how the "p34 gene" plays a key role in causing the disease punctate PPK.

The condition causes dots of hard, thickened skin which are painful and uncomfortable.

It is believed the discovery will allow for easier diagnosis of punctate PPK and help developing new therapies.

The research team, led by Prof Irwin McLean at the University of Dundee, has published its results in the journal Nature Genetics.

Prof McLean said: "We have not only found this gene but we have been able to figure out how it works, which is very important.

"When the gene is disrupted or knocked out, the cells in the skin grow too fast and this results in these hard, thick, painful lesions which can be quite debilitating.

"When the gene is working properly then the skin forms normally."

He said he believed the research would lead to better treatments.

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Scientists find skin disease gene

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