Complex skin models with hair for botanical stress screening
Advanced in vitro skin models with hair follicles for screening botanicals that mitigate biological stress responses. These models simulate human skin physiology and enable the identification of compounds that reduce stress signaling in hair follicles.
Overview
The Fraunhofer ISC presents an innovative solution for screening natural compounds that mitigate biological stress responses in hair follicles through the use of complex human in vitro skin models. These models incorporate hair follicles, sebaceous glands, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and an endogenous extracellular matrix, closely mimicking human skin physiology. This technology aims to identify botanicals that alleviate stress by targeting key cell types involved in stress signaling pathways, potentially leading to breakthroughs in treatments for stress-related hair and skin conditions.
Technical specifications
Key features:
- Incorporation of hair follicles, sebaceous glands, keratinocytes, melanocytes, and ECM to replicate human skin physiology.
- Simulation of stress responses mediated by the local HPA axis using CRH to trigger ACTH and cortisol release.
- Measurement of gene expression changes in stress markers like CRH, ACTH, and cortisol using qPCR and ELISA.
- Evaluation of hair growth cycles and stress mitigation through assays such as Ki67 for anagen phase and TUNEL assay for telogen phase.
- Semi-automated production process for efficient compound screening.
Technology readiness level
The current technology readiness level is 2, indicating that the technology is in the early stages of development. The models have not yet been validated through specific studies, but plans are in place to utilize these models for screening botanicals and assessing their efficacy in reducing stress in hair follicles.
About Fraunhofer Institute
Fraunhofer is a large, multi-site applied research organization based in Germany, operating a nationwide network of institutes and research units with a strong industry-facing mission. Its contract-research model aligns work to real manufacturing and deployment needs, with pilot lines, test labs, and demonstration facilities for validation and scale-up. Many institutes are integrated with nearby universities and regional industry clusters, enabling joint appointments, shared infrastructure, and fast talent pipelines. Research is supported by competitive European programs alongside German federal and state funding, complemented by extensive contract revenue from private-sector collaborations. A dedicated technology transfer function manages IP, licensing, and startup formation.
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