BRAIN AG and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences Jointly Develop 3D Skin Models for Health Care and Cosmetics

• Research Collaboration in Project M ² Aind for new high-resolution, real-time 3D skin spheroid screening technologies
• Mannheim University of Applied Sciences builds on expertise in the areas of 3D cell culture and state-of-the-art live cell imaging
• BRAIN contributes unique skin reporter cells, substance test libraries and market knowledge
• Review article in the Journal of Cellular Biotechnology

The research project M ² Aind (Multimodal Analytics and Intelligent Sensing for the Healthcare Industry) is a public-private partnership project under the leadership of the University of Mannheim, which is funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and was launched in January 2017. From the beginning BRAIN was an active partner in the M ² Aind network. Joint projects of the BRAIN and Mannheim University of Applied Sciences include the development of a skin model in 3D to better understand the physiology of the skin with the aim of opening up new application possibilities in the health and cosmetics industry.

New developments in three-dimensional skin models are considered potentially groundbreaking in many market segments. The current state of research and development for new applications in skin research is still partially based on 2D cell cultures. In this method, the skin cells in the Petri dish are cultured in a single layer before being contacted with selected substances to be tested for potential use in skin care. In contrast, nature and human skin are three-dimensional, which limits the quality of 2D methods. As early as the 1950s, technologies for three-dimensional cell culture were developed that are successfully used today in laboratories all over the world. The multicellular structure of the 3D models facilitates the interaction of the cells both with each other and with the extracellular matrix. Therefore, they represent theIn-vivo environment of the human skin much more accurate. With the latest technologies, the cells are arranged in spherical structures of micro-tissue, which means a higher degree of standardization and improved automation options for industrial applications.

Currently, the biggest challenge for more widespread industrial use of 3D spheroids is that they limit the methods of analyzing high-speed biological processes in the cell. With the project M ² Aind HS Mannheim and BRAIN intend to overcome these restrictions by developing new technologies. With their help, the molecular processes taking place in different skin layers of the 3D spheroids are to be visualized in real time and high resolution.

As the first milestone of the project, the research partners HS Mannheim and BRAIN have published a review article entitled “In Vitro Skin Three-Dimensional Models and Their Applications” in the Journal of Cellular Biotechnology. The article describes the composition and basic features and functions of human skin. The structure and prerequisites as well as the advantages and disadvantages of the current in-vitro 3D skin models are discussed and compared in a comprehensive overview table. The main benefits of the new approach taken in the M ² Aind project are a more realistic understanding of the physiological behavior of skin cells and the discovery of promising compounds.

Within the M ² Aind project , researchers at HS Mannheim are focusing on their expertise and the available infrastructure for 3D cell culture and analysis. Dr. Rüdiger Rudolf, professor for biosensors at the University of Mannheim and coordinator of the impulse project M ² located within M ²AindOGA states: “The review also includes an outlook on possible future developments, such as novel technologies for the use and use of human stem cells in personalized diagnostics, the development of therapies, and regenerative medicine. The article serves as a guideline for the selection of suitable cell models in pharmaceutical and cosmetic skin research and has served the cooperation partners BRAIN and Mannheim University in the further development of common goals. “

BRAIN has particular expertise in the development of human skin reporter cells for industrial applications. These competencies as well as the knowledge of market relevant areas of application come to the M ²Benefit from the Aind project. Dr. Torsten Ertongur-Fauth, Research Scientist & Project Manager at BRAIN, says: “3D spheroid skin models are an excellent way of understanding how skin cells deal with harmful environmental factors such as mechanical stress, UV radiation, or pathogens. Nevertheless, it is still a challenge to present the molecular processes that take place in the different keratinocyte layers in real time and with high resolution. Therefore we are looking forward to the support of the University of Mannheim. Together with our partner, we want to further develop our unique skin reporter cells in state-of-the-art 3D models to enable industrial substance testing for novel drugs. “The M ²Aimed timeframes include four years with the option for four more years with a positive interim balance. There are currently 37 partners from industry and research involved in the project. A grant from the BMBF of EUR 6 million for the first four years has been approved (BMBF | FKZ 03FH8I02IA).

Journal of Cellular Biotechnology 3 (2017) 21-39: In Vitro Skin Three-Dimensional Models and Their Applications, DOI 10.3233 / JCB-179004, IOS Press

The research and innovation partnership “M ² Aind - Multimodal analytics and intelligent sensors for the health industry” of Mannheim University of Applied Sciences was selected by a high-ranking expert group in a highly competitive competition throughout Germany. Of the approximately 230 universities of applied sciences in Germany, more than 80 have applied for the total of 100 million euros for a maximum of eight years in the FH-Impuls program. In the first funding period for initially four years, the University of Mannheim will receive over six million euros. The university brings with M ²Aind 37 partners from large-scale industry and innovative small and medium-sized companies of the Rhine-Main-Neckar Metropolitan Region at the interface between biomedicine, intelligent sensors and information technology combined. New products, services and innovative technologies for the healthcare industry are at the heart of the M ² Aind partnership .

Further information under www.m2aind.hs-mannheim.de/partnerschaft-m2aind.html