BASF and the French biotechnology company CYTOO have joined forces to develop and test active ingredients that contribute to increase skin firmness in skin care applications.
Recent research results indicate that there are some ingredients that can stimulate the contractility of human fibroblasts (connective tissue cells) and thus improve skin appearance and firmness. To investigate more deeply these cell features, CYTOO developed FibroScreen. This unique platform is based upon a micro-patterning technology that allows the precise control of cell substrate geometry and stiffness. As part of the cooperation, BASF und CYTOO combine their expertise and resources to work on new cellbased assays, to enhance the methodological evaluation of CYTOO’s FibroScreen platform and to identify new active compounds able to influence the contractility of human fibroblasts.
At a young age, skin looks smooth and radiant. The interlinked fibroblasts and the extracellular matrix with its strong network of collagen fibre bundles provide hold and elasticity to the skin. With age, skin is increasingly losing its mechanical stability, collagen levels of the skin are decreasing: The existing collagen is degraded by the enzyme collagenase. At the same time, the synthesis activities of the fibroblasts – important for the collagen production – are declining. To improve skin appearance and firmness, collagen and hyaluronic acid fillers are nowadays broadly used in skin care applications. However, they only bring a short-term effect. To provide alternative solutions to its customers, BASF – in partnership with CYTOO – is conducting research on new active ingredients with a more durable effect on skin firmness.
