{"title":"An epidermal serine sensing system for skin healthcare","authors":"Ying Yuan, Bowen Zhong, Xiaokun Qin, Hao Xu, Zhexin Li, Linlin Li, Xiaofeng Wang, Wenxuan Zhang, Zheng Lou, Yongming Fan, Lili Wang","doi":"10.1038/s41467-025-58147-0","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p>Portable biosensors mainly focus on detecting biomarkers in biofluids but neglect the abundant skin biomarkers on the stratum corneum, which are associated with the functionality and integrity of the skin barrier. Here, we propose a sensing patch designed for direct sampling and in situ quantification of epidermal serine, an important biomarker for skin healthcare. The patch consists of a porous hydrogel for serine diffusion and ion conduction, and a molecular imprinted polymer-based electrochemical serine sensor. By integrating with a customized handheld serine tester, the serine sensing system enables in situ measurement of epidermal serine levels. We demonstrate the application of this serine sensing system in assessing the moisturizing effect of a skincare product and tracking the recovery progress of skin barrier function in a patient with atopic dermatitis. Our work opens up a potential application scenario for portable biosensors in personalized skin healthcare.</p>","PeriodicalId":19066,"journal":{"name":"Nature Communications","volume":"28 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":14.7000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Nature Communications","FirstCategoryId":"103","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-58147-0","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"综合性期刊","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"MULTIDISCIPLINARY SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Portable biosensors mainly focus on detecting biomarkers in biofluids but neglect the abundant skin biomarkers on the stratum corneum, which are associated with the functionality and integrity of the skin barrier. Here, we propose a sensing patch designed for direct sampling and in situ quantification of epidermal serine, an important biomarker for skin healthcare. The patch consists of a porous hydrogel for serine diffusion and ion conduction, and a molecular imprinted polymer-based electrochemical serine sensor. By integrating with a customized handheld serine tester, the serine sensing system enables in situ measurement of epidermal serine levels. We demonstrate the application of this serine sensing system in assessing the moisturizing effect of a skincare product and tracking the recovery progress of skin barrier function in a patient with atopic dermatitis. Our work opens up a potential application scenario for portable biosensors in personalized skin healthcare.
期刊介绍:
Nature Communications, an open-access journal, publishes high-quality research spanning all areas of the natural sciences. Papers featured in the journal showcase significant advances relevant to specialists in each respective field. With a 2-year impact factor of 16.6 (2022) and a median time of 8 days from submission to the first editorial decision, Nature Communications is committed to rapid dissemination of research findings. As a multidisciplinary journal, it welcomes contributions from biological, health, physical, chemical, Earth, social, mathematical, applied, and engineering sciences, aiming to highlight important breakthroughs within each domain.