Mesh-electronics for next-generation skin tissue engineering

The BioKIN project aims to engineer a biomimetic in vitro platform for the non-destructive, remote, and real-time monitoring of laboratory-grown skin. The project is focused on developing a seamless device to interface with bioengineered skin tissue.

Strategies will be established to integrate the device with skin cells to mature hybrid functional skin, where electronics and tissue grow alike.

The obtained hybrid functional tissue will provide a powerful tool to study skin biological processes, which will be used early by monitoring wound healing in vitro.

Every year, over 50 million patients suffer from severe skin injuries such as burns and chronic wounds and need effective therapies to restore skin function.

Fueled by this need, researchers have developed advanced skin substitutes for skin regeneration and replacement by tissue engineering techniques.

Despite the incremental improvement of bioengineered skin and its use to regenerate damaged injuries, in situ, non-destructive, and real-time monitoring of their performance has not been sufficiently addressed.

BioKIN will equip bioengineered skin tissue with advanced, non-biological capabilities, thus providing a promising platform that supports the understanding of epidermal biology, tissue formation, and skin diseases.

The multidisciplinary skills gained during this action BioKIN will significantly enhance the applicant’s future career prospects in bringing bioelectronics to skin tissue engineering.