Lab-grown skin layer could replace animal testing
Scientists have developed the first ever lab grown epidermis.
Scientists have developed the first ever lab-grown skin layer. It could replace animal testing for drugs and cosmetics, as well as helping to develop new treatments for skin disorders.
The skin layer has been grown from human stem cells. It is the first lab-grown epidermis with the functional permeability barrier needed for drug testing.
Leading the research team from Kings College London, Dr Dusko Ilic said their new method could be scaled up for commercial testing of drugs and cosmetics.
Scientists used human stem cells to create an unlimited supply of pure keratinocytes - the main cell type in the epidermis.
These were used to produce 3D epidermal equivalents in a high-to-low humidity environment to build the functional barrier for protecting the body from losing moisture and preventing entry of chemicals, toxins and microbes.
The study, which has been published in the journal Stem Cell Reports, was carried out in collaboration with the San Francisco Veteran Affairs Medical Center (SFVAMC).
Scientists say the model can be used to study conditions such as ichthyosis (dry, flaky skin) and atopic dermatitis, where the skin's barrier is defective.
Dr Theodora Mauro, leader of the SFVAMC team says: "We can use the model to study how the skin barrier develops normally, how the barrier is impaired in different diseases and how we can stimulate its repair and recovery."
Furthermore, Dr Ilic says the model could be tailored to study particular skin conditions and sensitivities in different populations, by growing epidermal equivalents representing different types of skin.
The BSAVA has opened submissions for the BSAVA Clinical Research Abstracts 2026.
