Scientists have developed a revolutionary technology that can create 3D-printed skin imitations with live cells, eliminating the need for animal testing in the cosmetics industry.
Researchers at TU Graz, Austria and the Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) in India are studying 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 to provide an ideal environment for human skin cells to grow and reproduce.
“The skin-imitating hydrogels of 3D printers have to meet many requirements,” explains Karin Stana Kleinschek of the Babased Systems Institute of Chemical Technology at Tu Graz. “The hydrogel must be able to interact with living skin cells. These cells must not only survive, but also be able to grow and reproduce.”
This innovation emerges at a critical moment in the cosmetics industry. Since the implementation of the 2010/63/eu Directive strict restrictions on cosmetics and their ingredients throughout the EU, companies have been looking for reliable alternatives to test the absorption and toxicity of nanoparticles used in products such as sunscreens.
Creating functional skin alternatives presents a significant challenge. The Tu Graz team has developed a specialized hydrogel preparation that serves both as structural support and cellular habitat. These water-rich materials create the ideal conditions for integrating living cells, but also require complex methods of mechanical and chemical stability to maintain their three-dimensional structure after printing.
The research team is focusing on crosslinking methods that stabilize 3D prints under mild conditions without using toxic chemicals, taking nature as an example. Meanwhile, their partners in India are testing the toughness and toxicity of these materials in cell culture.
In order for 3D printed structures to be eligible as viable skin imitation, it must sustain life skin cells for two to three weeks and support the development of actual skin tissue. Only in this way can it be considered suitable for testing cosmetics.
The initial results are promising. “The first test of 3D-printed hydrogels in cell culture is very successful.” “The crosslinked material is non-toxic and mechanically stable.”
This collaborative project leverages complementary expertise from both agencies. “This has been a success in the complementary research of Tu Graz and Vit. Our years of expertise in tissue mimicry matter research and VIT’s expertise in molecular and cellular biology complement each other,” Stana Kleinschek noted.
The project builds on previous work on developing cellulose-based 3D scaffolds for tissue engineering. The latest protocol published in the Star Protocol details how researchers made nanocellulose-based 3D scaffolds designed specifically to test cells in skin and cartilage tissue. These scaffoldings provide a framework for the development of versatile and sustainable biomaterials for regenerative medicine.
Looking ahead, the team focuses on further improvement. “In the next step, 3D printed models will be used to test nanoparticles,” said Stana Kleinschek. “We are now working together to further optimize hydrogel preparations and validate them as alternatives to animal experiments.”
The development of these artificial skin models represents an important step in the cosmetics industry to take a more ethical testing approach. By providing realistic alternatives to animal testing, the technology can change how companies evaluate product safety while addressing ethical issues about animal welfare in scientific research.
As this technology continues to evolve, it may eventually predict human skin responses more accurately than traditional animal models, potentially increasing the moral visibility and scientific effectiveness of cosmetic testing procedures.
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