Dynamic monitoring of skin barrier function enabled by 3D bioelectronic human skin model

Abstract

The complexity of human skin poses significant challenges in replicating its structure and function for applications such as drug testing, disease modeling, and biosensing. Existing models, like 2D cell cultures, are unable to replicate the layered structure and barrier properties of the skin, while animal studies raise ethical concerns and are costly. Here we present a 3D epidermal skin model, designed to replicate the multilayered architecture of human skin, and integrated with organic electrochemical transistors (OECTs) for real-time non-invasive monitoring of skin barrier integrity. The model represented herein enables the study of both structural and functional aspects of human skin. By interfacing with OECTs, we can dynamically assess skin barrier function, demonstrating higher sensitivity and temporal resolution compared to traditional methods like transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER). This innovative approach merges 3D skin models with advanced bioelectronic technologies, offering a powerful tool for skin research that adheres to ethical standards while offering valuable insights into skin physiology.