Scientists have developed a revolutionary technique to create 3D-printed skin imitations with living cells that could eliminate the need for animal testing in the cosmetics industry.
Researchers from Graz University of Technology (TU Graz) in Austria and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India are working on artificial skin that mimics the natural three-layer structure and biomechanics of human skin. Their breakthrough approach combines advanced 3D printing technology with specially formulated hydrogels that provide an ideal environment for human skin cells to grow and multiply.
“The hydrogels for our skin imitation from the 3D printer have to fulfil a number of requirements,” explains Karin Stana Kleinschek from the Institute of Chemistry and Technology of Biobased Systems at TU Graz. “The hydrogels must be able to interact with living skin cells. These cells not only have to survive, but also have to be able to grow and multiply.”
The innovation comes at a critical time for the cosmetics industry. Since the implementation of Directive 2010/63/EU, which imposed strict limitations on animal testing for cosmetics and their ingredients throughout the European Union, companies have been searching for reliable alternatives to test the absorption and toxicity of nanoparticles used in products like sunscreens.
Creating functional skin substitutes presents significant challenges. The TU Graz team has developed specialized hydrogel formulations that serve as both structural support and cellular habitat. These water-rich materials create ideal conditions for integrating living cells, but also require sophisticated methods for mechanical and chemical stabilization to maintain their three-dimensional structure after printing.
The research team is focusing on cross-linking methods that stabilize the 3D prints under mild conditions without using toxic chemicals, following nature’s example. Meanwhile, their partners in India are testing the resilience and toxicity of these materials in cell culture.
For a 3D-printed structure to qualify as a viable skin imitation, it must maintain living skin cells for two to three weeks and support the development of actual skin tissue. Only then can it be considered suitable for testing cosmetic products.
Initial results have been promising. “The first tests of 3D-printed hydrogels in cell culture were very successful,” reports Stana Kleinschek. “The cross-linked materials are non-cytotoxic and mechanically stable.”
This collaborative project leverages complementary expertise from both institutions. “This is a success for the complementary research at TU Graz and VIT. Our many years of expertise in the field of material research for tissue imitations and VIT’s expertise in molecular and cell biology have complemented each other perfectly,” Stana Kleinschek notes.
The project builds on previous work developing cellulose-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering. A recent protocol published in STAR Protocols details how researchers can fabricate self-standing nanocellulose-based 3D scaffolds specifically designed for testing cells from skin and cartilage tissues. These scaffolds offer a framework for developing versatile and sustainable biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Looking ahead, the team is focused on further refinement. “In the next step, the 3D-printed models will be used to test nanoparticles,” says Stana Kleinschek. “We are now working together to further optimize the hydrogel formulations and validate their usefulness as a substitute for animal experiments.”
The development of these artificial skin models represents a significant step toward more ethical testing methods in the cosmetics industry. By providing a realistic alternative to animal testing, this technology could transform how companies evaluate product safety while addressing growing ethical concerns about animal welfare in scientific research.
As this technology continues to evolve, it may ultimately provide a more accurate prediction of human skin reactions than traditional animal models, potentially improving both the ethical standing and scientific validity of cosmetic testing procedures.
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