A study conducted by researchers at the University of São Paulo’s School of Pharmaceutical Sciences has demonstrated the potential of bio-printed artificial skin as a viable alternative to animal testing in product evaluation.
To validate the performance of bio-printed skin against manually produced models, the researchers sought to compare their functionality.
The primary objective was to ensure that the bio-printed skin possessed the same stratified four-layer structure as natural skin. This stratification provides a selective barrier that safeguards against chemical and physical stressors while maintaining water retention. The researchers conducted tests to evaluate the barrier function of the bio-printed skin by exposing it to varying concentrations of a detergent. They also applied reference chemicals to assess the skin’s response and its ability to distinguish between irritants and non-irritants.
The results of the tests confirmed that the bio-printed skin exhibited similar quality and performance to manually reconstructed skin. This indicates its potential to replace the Draize test, which involves applying substances directly to rabbit skin for toxicity assessment.
As the demand for animal-free products grows, innovative solutions that eliminate the need for animal testing are becoming increasingly important. The development of bio-printed artificial skin offers a promising avenue for reducing reliance on animal testing in product research and development.
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