First US panel analyzes gene expression in response to UV exposure
Spokesperson Marie Warren told CosmeticsDesign.com USA that the company established the panel as it recognises the importance of UV research in the industry, thus this new development will allow researchers to analyse UV exposure using an in vitro skin model system.
“Companies specialising in raw materials to finished products are looking for state of the art tools to evaluate materials, formulations and products with respect to the biological response to UV.”
According to Warren, the Michigan based company got a well-received response to a similar service on evaluating genes related to aging, antioxidant response and skin barrier function earlier in the year and anticipates “a similar response with the UV panel.”
“Our goal is to assist scientists and industry professionals in incorporating state-of-the-art genomics technologies into their research and development programs.”
How the technology works
The panel is said to contain 92 markers that respond to UV in an in vitromodel and provides a rapid and cost effective means for screening which features two separate panels; early response (2 or 6 hours post exposure) or 24-hour response.
"The test is run with MatTek full thickness skin equivalents and includes four replicates per treatment, which are then compared against a control group, ultimately producing statistical analysis of gene expression data," concluded Warren.
Speaking of UV...
Researchers in the US have revealed that a protein responsible for the proliferation of skin cancer could be pre-treated with antioxidants as a means of cutting the risk.
The study, conducted by the Medical College of Georgia, also shows that UV exposure has a cumulative effect into old age, highlighting the importance of constant UV protection. The research led by Dr. Wendy Bollag pinpointed the fact that accumulative UV exposure activates an enzyme that can help skin cancer cells to survive and proliferate.
Published in the journal Oncogene, the scientists highlight how antioxidants, now commonly used in many sun care products, can be used to pre-treat skin cells to reduce a protein the researchers have identified as having a key role in the proliferation of skin cancer cells.
