Medicated bioactive spray for skin healing

Starting date
December 1, 2017
Duration (months)
24
Departments
Biotechnology
Managers or local contacts
Cecconi Daniela

The skin, considered the largest organ of the body, is involved in a variety of functions and acts primarily as a protective barrier preventing the entry of potential pathogens. The skin immune system is regulated by microorganisms (skin microbiota) living on the skin which act on keratinocytes and cytokine release, ensuring the good state of skin health. The alteration of skin homeostasis is found in the presence of infections of wounds and during certain inflammatory skin diseases (for example dermatitis, acne, psoriasis). Recent studies have shown that some lactobacilli can have a beneficial and protective role in the defense against the inflammatory processes that affect the skin, and also that they affect the resistance to infections by interfering with pathogens.
The innovative aspect of the project consists in the screening of Lactobacillus salivarius, L.paracasei, L.plantarum and L.fermentum in order to use them in the production of a spray for topical use that promotes wound healing and the restoring of homeostasis in skin disorders. The selection of lactobacilli and the formulation of bioactive spray will be made in the company (Sintal Dietetics s.r.l.), while in the Proteomics and Mass Spectrometry Lab. (Dep. Biotechnology) will be analyzed the effects of lactobacilli on keratinocytes (re-epithelialization, proliferation, migration, secretion of cytokines and other molecules involved in wound healing) and on pathogens (antimicrobial activity) alone and/or in co-culture. The methodological used will be those typical of proteomics, biochemistry, analytical chemistry and microbiology involving the application of instrumental techniques and methods (such as spectroscopy, chromatography, electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry as provided in this project) for determining qualitative and quantitative composition of chemical systems in the biological field.

Sponsors:

Funds: assigned and managed by the department

Project participants

Jessica Brandi
Temporary Assistant Professor
Daniela Cecconi
Associate Professor

Activities

Research facilities

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