In vitro - Dr Irena Eris | Centrum Naukowo-Badawcze

Investigating processes in the in vitro cell cultures are aimed to follow the proliferation and life of the cells in living organism.

The epidermis developed under in vitro conditions retains the barrier function, its lipid profile is almost identical to that of the full-thickness skin. The cosmetic safety assessment involves testing the life properties of epidermal cells (MTT colorimetric assay). The use of in vitro methods for such an assessment is a major progress – already at the laboratory testing stage. In this way we receive an initial response regarding the cosmetic’s effect on the skin.

The cosmetic safety assessment on the epidermis model is one of the research methods approved by the European Union. This innovative research is performed in the In Vitro Research Laboratory of the Dr Irena Eris Centre for Science and Research.

The skin, one of the biggest organs of our organism, is formed by cells displaying specialised functions, including epidermal cells (keratinocytes), dermis cells (fibroblasts), pigment cells (melanocytes), fat cells (adipocytes). Any type of cells can be isolated and kept alive under laboratory conditions. Cell co-cultures are developed, e.g. epidermal cells with pigment cells, as well as epidermis and full-thickness skin models. Therefore, three-tier 3D models are used for cosmetic safety testing.

IN VITRO RESEARCH

“In vitro” is a Latin term literally meaning “in glass”. Itreferes to research on biological processes under laboratory conditions, outside a living organism.

Ex vivo

In vivo