"Infected" Synthetic Skin Mimics Natural Biome

Image credit: Reuters 

A team of UK researchers has developed an “infected” synthetic skin which works to mimic the body’s natural microbiome – with potentially significant benefits for a range of conditions including eczema.

The lab-grown artificial model, with its ability to emulate the thickness of human skin as well as the presence of various bacteria and viruses, enables pharmaceutical and cosmetics developers to more accurately run trials on products as though as they were testing them with real skin.

The innovation could have transformative impact for people who suffer from skin conditions such as eczema, for whom identifying triggers and treatments for flare-ups can be difficult.

“What we’re doing is we’re making an inflamed skin model and looking at the differences between normal skin and inflamed skin and how bacteria have different relationships with inflamed skin compared to normal skin,” said Sheffield Hallam University researcher, Amy Grayson in an interview with Reuters.

“…we put healthy skin bacteria on the models to make a more representative model because previous models in the past have only used inflamed skin, but they haven’t factored in the fact that the skin microbiome has an effect on how the skin grows.”

The research comes as part of an R&D collaboration between Sheffield Hallam University and global consumer goods company, Colgate-Palmolive.

Check out the video from Reuters below to see the technology in action.