Science & Technology (Commonwealth Union) – The skin is the largest organ of the of the body hence its maintenance has been of utmost importance. For many decades researchers have focused on the perfect ingredients to maintain healthy skin.
Scientists at The University of Western Australia (UWA) have made plans to use biomaterials to develop a realistic 3D model of human skin, aiming to improve understanding and treatment of skin stiffness linked to aging, scarring, and certain medical conditions.
If the initiative proves successful, the model could eventually lessen reliance on animal testing for skincare products and support personalized treatment strategies for individuals with abnormal skin rigidity.
The three-year project, funded by nearly $500,000 from Denmark’s LEO Foundation, seeks to produce full-thickness human skin tissue tailored to specific biomechanical properties.
Associate Professor Yu Suk Choi of the UWA School of Human Sciences, who leads the project, explained that this advanced technology will enable scientists to study the underlying mechanisms of skin stiffness—a condition connected to aging and disorders such as skin fibrosis, which occurs when the body produces excessive collagen.
Associate Professor Choi indicated that their skin is altered as we age and one of the primary reasons is the layers gradually become stiffer, which is a procedure that is even more exaggerated in skin diseases like skin fibrosis.
He further pointed out that surprisingly, these mechanical properties have got minor attention in skin research, however with new developments in mechanobiology they presently are aware that skin cells sense and respond to these mechanical alterations.
The project will employ advanced biomaterials designed to replicate the natural firmness of each layer of the skin.
Researchers will then adjust the stiffness of these layers to observe how the skin responds and to explore its potential for regeneration.
Associate Professor Choi pointed out that by studying these responses, they may uncover new treatment targets and advance ‘mechanotherapy’—therapies that gently modify the skin’s mechanical properties to promote healing and combat disease.
If proven effective, this approach could enable scientists to recreate a patient’s individual skin, allowing them to test various diseases and treatments to develop personalized care plans.
Associate Professor Choi indicated that the primary goal of the model is to address skin stiffening caused by fibrotic conditions, but it could potentially be applied to any abnormal skin rigidity.
“It has the potential to not just treat but prevent skin stiffening, and to help develop skin grafts for burns patients.
“Significantly, by developing a realistic, full-thickness human skin tissue model, it could potentially reduce animal use in research and product development.”
Many new developments such as artificial intelligence (AI) models have show great promise in reducing our dependency or even the possibility of eliminating animal testing all together. Much of these have been due to the development of similar life like models that can mimic results obtained from animal models.
The research team features burns expert Professor Fiona Wood from UWA’s Medical School and the Burns Service of Western Australia, biomedical engineer Professor Brendan Kennedy from UWA’s School of Engineering and the Harry Perkins Institute of Medical Research, and bio-nanotechnology specialist Associate Professor Iyer Swaminatha Iyer from UWA’s School of Molecular Sciences.
This project originated within the Australian Research Council Training Centre for Next-Generation Technologies in Biomedical Analysis, led by Associate Professor Iyer.
Associate Professor Choi, Professor Wood, and Professor Kennedy serve as chief investigators at the Centre, which is hosted at UWA and involves collaboration with the University of New South Wales, Monash University, the University of Surrey, and various industry partners.
The finding are likely to show promise in advancing skin research across the world.
