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TRI Talking Skin Series
October, November, & December 2021
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Live On-Line Series
October 13th, November 10th, November 23rd, and December 1st
TRI is delighted to be able to extend its very popular on-line seminar programme with a new series of four lectures called TRI Talking Skin. The Institute is collaborating with the Chemistry Department of Rutgers University, Newark and proud to be able to offer a series of expert lectures focused on the properties and functionality of the largest organ of the human body, the skin.
Series Schedule
All Times Eastern Standard Time
Day 1
2:00p — Wednesday, October 13th
Skin Applications of Raman Microscopic Imaging
Prof. Richard Mendelsohn, Rutgers University
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From the origin of the technique in the 1920’s until 30 years ago, Raman spectroscopy was used primarily to complement IR for the measurement of molecular symmetry and structure in gas, liquid and solid phases, with occasional forays into relatively simple (but not easy!) biophysical systems including protein, nucleic acid and lipid structure. More recently, the coupling of optical microscopes to Raman spectrometers has permitted the study of substantially more complex biomedical problems including the biochemistry of single cells and the characterization of disease states in tissues.
The current presentation will briefly introduce the application of confocal Raman microscopy to topics of interest in skin science including the determination of permeation mechanisms for exogenous materials as well as the tracking of prodrug-to-drug interactions in skin. Technical difficulties inherent in the measurements will be enumerated while potentially useful future directions will be noted as time permits.
Day 2
2:00p — Wednesday, November 10th
Skin Materials Science: Biophysical Methods to Characterize the Skin Barrier
Dr David Moore (TRI Adjunct Fellow), Tioga Research
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Over the last 20 years we have developed, adopted, and utilized a range of biophysical methods and materials science approaches to characterize the skin barrier under a variety of conditions. Our experimental models have ranged from pure lipids or proteins, isolated skin cells, isolated stratum corneum, ex vivo skin and ultimately in vivo human studies when feasible. Experimental approaches have ranged from characterizing bulk properties and surface properties in normal and compromised skin and ranged from measurements on the molecular to the macroscopic length scale. This presentation will highlight some of these studies and methods to illustrate the utility of a “materials science” approach to skin barrier science both in understanding the substrate, and how it is changed when diseased or compromised, as well as informing the design and evaluation of technologies that protect or restore healthy skin barrier function.
Day 3
2:00p — Tuesday, November 23rd
Advances in Antioxidant Technology for Skin Care
Dr Roger McMullen (TRI Adjunct Fellow), Ashland
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In the the last two decades the role of antioxidants in skin care has radically changed. In the early 2000s, it was typical to find finished formulas on the shelf that contained butylated hydroxy-toluene (BHT) or butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), which were mostly added to enhance the shelf-life of the product. As time went on, formulas containing vitamin C and vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) became more common since many studies carried out during that period demonstrated the invaluable benefits provided to the skin by these antioxidants.
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As the personal care industry entered the end of the first decade in the new millennium, naturally derived ingredients started to become more and more common. Of course, most of these ingredients were based on botanical ingredients, which are chock-full of polyphenols and other ingredients with antioxidant properties. Antioxidants have also become key components of sunscreen formulas, as research demonstrated unique benefits from the addition of antioxidants in addition to any UV absorption properties.
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A great deal of research has also gone into delivery systems for antioxidants, which provide targeted delivery and stability for antioxidants. Nowadays, one can find antioxidants in just about every type of skin care product in the marketplace. In this presentation, we will review some of the latest advances in antioxidant technology in the skin care arena.
Day 4
2:00p — Wednesday, December 1st
Importance of Lipids for Health Skin Physiology and the Effects of Age and Ethnicity
Dr Apostolos Pappas (TRI Adjunct Fellow), Consultant
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The skin is the largest organ of the human body. Skin oil synthesis is fundamental for skin functions. Their chemistry and biology seem unusual, as many skin lipids are not found in other tissues within the human body. These surface lipids are of sebaceous and keratinocyte/epidermal origin.
Triglycerides, waxes and squalene are secreted by the sebaceous glands and are deposited via the hair canal on the surface of the skin. Sebaceous oil is involved in the pathogenesis of acne, seborrheic dermatitis, oily hair as well as hair loss, since unique, complex and unusual desaturated fatty acids, waxes and unusual squalene accumulation are unique manifestations for hair biology and health.
On the other hand, epidermal lipids as ceramides are fundamental for the skin barrier’s properties. Recent studies have demonstrated the involvement of the epidermal oil barrier in eczema and dry skin conditions.
The lecture will summarize the studies that demonstrate their importance for healthy skin physiology and how age and ethnicity could alter the various skin lipids.