Jala Group creates first 3D bioprint of artificial skin

The new age of cosmetics testing​

Jala Group has conceptualised and developed the artificial skin of  Asian models for cosmetics testing.

The company’s mission is to find and provide customisable cosmetics that are specifically relevant to Oriental consumers — their target demographic.

In the five years since the organisation established its customisable skin care solution, the R&D team carried out a total of 98 experiments before successfully creating Asian skin using the technology, in a world first.

The team of scientists, which discovered the customisable cosmetics tool, is comprised researchers in the fields of cell biology, pharmaceutical, regenerative medicine, biomaterial and engineering from China and France.

LabSkin Creations collated varied and advanced 3D skin models for analysis. When applied, these determine bespoke solutions for popular skin care products, chemicals and materials.

Patent-awarded​

The cutting-edge development comes after LabSkin Creations, which tests the effectiveness of ingredients and cosmetic products on custom-made reconstructed skins, joined Jala Group and lead researcher Dr. Morgan Dos Santos to pursue and successfully obtain a patent for bioink.

Jala Group used the technology to replicate 3D bioprinted skin models from cells of Asian consumers. It works by allowing an in vitro reconstruction of skin tissues with 3D bioprinting.

From the outset, researchers analysed real human skin before replicating it in a 3D digital model. Jala then established algorithms that would the print bioinks into structures that mimicked skin,  both visually and architecturally.

In a press release, the company stated that the “structure and texture and acquired factors such as diet, environment and air pollution as well as the Asian preference for avoiding any exposure to the sun can affect skin characteristics”​ is different to that of Caucasian skin and consumer demands.

Five-year process​

The organisation hopes that the bioprint skin discovery, which relates to an in vitro 3D structure organism, will enable the organisation to improve its R&D capacities —  namely its functional testing of raw materials, cosmetics efficacy evaluation and drug development.

Jala Group will now also seek to push biotechnology development through ongoing investment in biotechnology advancement

“Cosmetics is not simple,”​ said Zhend Chunying, Chairman of the Jala Group. “It needs to provide consumers with security.”​

“With 3D bioprinting technology, Jala can better test and develop a new generation of natural products with the use of cutting-edge technology, allowing us to develop the best products for consumers, ” Chunying added.

Since the patented technology was completed in late 2016, the company hopes that it will be able to provide customisable skin care products and applications that appeal specifically to the Asian skin care market.

From human to artificial ​

The new technology provides consumers with a piece of artificial skin with a functioning dermis, epidermis, and dermal-epidermal junction in three weeks.

Going forward, the technology may help further aims to replace animal cosmetics testing with more ethical and reliable means. In addition, through modifying stem cells and bioink recipe, companies may be able to create personalised skin care choices for consumers with different skin care types.