The human skin microbiome has recently become a focus for cosmetic industries. Improving our understanding of host-microbial interactions and how to maintain its delicate balance is essential for the development of new cosmetic formulations. Here, Eurofins proposes an integrated approach to support the analysis of microbiome sequencing data by use of skin biophysical measurements
The skin is the largest organ of the human body and the one with the highest surface area, directly in contact with the external environment. This huge surface area harbours immune cells and it is inhabited by billions of resident commensal microorganisms constituting the so-called skin microbiota.1
The skin microbiota consists of the collection of all microorganisms residing in an anatomical niche of the body, including bacteria, archaea, viruses and eukaryotes, while their genomes represent the skin microbiome, and its composition is unique to each person and part of the body.2,3 Microorganisms and host cells are engaged in a continuous exchange with each other aiming to a dynamic balance.4
On the one hand, the skin provides nutrients and abiotic factors (e.g. temperature and humidity) promoting microbiota growth. On the other hand, the microbiota prevents the colonisation of pathogens, directly and indirectly benefiting the host.5
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