Chemical imaging for skin permeation studies – an analytical approach to replace animal experiments

In this project we want to develop an animal-free skin permeation analysis approach suitable for testing chemicals such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and skin allergens. The method uses multi-modal chemical imaging (MMCI) to trace, quantify and image molecules and elements in donated human skin after a diffusion cell exposure. The method aims to replace or significantly reduce existing in-vivo models and improve on already established in-vitro models. This by offering a more sensitive and flexible analytical approach that can replace and/or complement existing methods in the OECD guidelines for skin adsorption (no 427 and no 428). Although the use of in-vivo testing of cosmetic ingredients with regard to skin sensitizing potency is prohibited since many years, the replacement methods validated by ECVAM does not take skin permeation into account.

Partner organizations

• Sahlgrenska University Hospital (Public, Sweden)