Biomaterials Discovery

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 2022

Elucidating the molecular landscape of the stratum corneum

Skin is recognized as an intricate assembly of molecular components, which facilitate cell signaling, metabolism, and protein synthesis mechanisms in order to offer protection, regulation, and sensation to the body. Our study takes significant steps to characterize in more detail the complex chemistry of the skin, in particular by generating a better understanding of the uppermost layer, the stratum corneum. Using a state-of-the-art 3D OrbiSIMS technique, we were able to observe the depth distribution, in situ, for a wide range of molecular species. This unprecedented molecular characterization of skin provides information that has the potential to benefit research into fundamental processes, such as those associated with skin aging and disease, and the development and delivery of effective topical formulations.

The full article can be read in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Elucidating the molecular landscape of the stratum corneum
Nichola J. Starr, Mohammed H. Khan, Max K. Edney, Gustavo F. Trindade, Stefanie Kern, Alexander Pirkl, Matthias Kleine-Boymann,Christopher Elms, Mark M. O'Mahony, Mike Bell, Morgan R. Alexander, and David J. Scurr
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 119 (12) e2114380119
https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2114380119

Posted on Friday 29th April 2022

Next Generation Biomaterials Discovery

Advanced Materials and Healthcare Technologies, School of Pharmacy, The University of Nottingham
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