Oregon Researchers Develop Hyper-Real Artificial Human Skin

Date: March 22, 2024

The research team at Oregon University has finally cracked the code to replicate human skin using 3D printing technology.

Human skin is our body's largest organ, yet healthcare has evolved slightly slower than other industries. The skincare and beauty industry has the highest market share, backed by strong innovations. Researchers at the University of Oregon may have cracked the code to replicate artificial human skin. The team has 3D printed the artificial human skin, which closely mimics the real skin complexities. 

The Oregon University Researches have partnered with the Scientists of the renowned beauty brand L’Oreal to pioneer this revolutionary development. The 3D printer was invented by Paul Dalton, a professor at the University of Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact. This innovative printer technology allows the creation of multi-layered cell colonies in 18 days. Here’s a glimpse of the 3D-printed skin and its two complex hyper-real layers.

The two-layered matrix provides layered skin that is stitched together using micro threads. Earlier, achieving this reality was a far-off dream, but Dalton’s model can mimic it with unprecedented realism and functionality.

Why Is L’Oreal Making Artificial Skin?

The legacy skincare brand has been investing in developing skin healing capabilities. The Eureka of this innovation will help it provide a better lifestyle to skin-damage victims. From covering burns to restitching the face to its original shape, artificial human skin can help facilitate many healthcare solutions. With L’Oreal’s extensive research team of Scientists, the technology has come into existence and can be commercially available after due approvals. Combined with artificial intelligence, this technology can bring a healthcare revolution with multi-faceted outcomes.

Dalton said of the successful replication of the skin, “Other attempts don’t have the same layering—it actually looks like real skin.” The research team at Dalton’s lab has reported that this was the world’s first successful effort to replicate quality skin at full thickness.

Melt Electro Writing, a novel 3D printing technology has helped the skin industry reach this crucial turning point. The advanced 3D MEW is used in the medical industry to create porous macrostructures with fine detail from an electrically charged molten polymer. It can create larger skin components without compromising the quality. The skin scaffoldings printed by the 3D printer are keenly being observed for other healthcare uses like artificial blood structures and vessels. It also has the potential to bring innovation in nerve regeneration.