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Hair follicle tissues and cells for skin and hair replacement and stem cell research and discovery

Summary of the impact

Fundamental research on developmental biology of skin and skin appendages carried out by Prof Colin Jahoda's group has led to progress in the isolation of specific adult cell populations, understanding of their roles in skin and hair regeneration, and advances towards clinical applications. This has led to the development of new methods to replace human hair follicles, and has been the basis for multi-million dollar research and development projects by companies in the UK, the US and Japan. The Durham research has enabled Intercytex Ltd. to attract £27M in VC funding and £30M in an IPO in 2009, progressing to Phase IIa clinical trials. The US company Aderans Research Institute has spent $100 million in developing this "hair cloning" technology. A Durham University spinout company, ClarinnisBio, was also established in 2009, and has to date attracted ca. £1M in investment and has employed two scientists, in a region of the UK that suffers from relatively high levels of unemployment.

Submitting Institution

University of Durham

Unit of Assessment

Biological Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Genetics
Medical and Health Sciences: Oncology and Carcinogenesis

Fibrillin-rich microfibrils and efficacy of anti-ageing cosmetics

Summary of the impact

Extensible fibrillin-rich microfibrils are the template for elastic fibres that endow dynamic tissues with elastic recoil. Researchers at the University of Manchester (UoM) showed that microfibrils are degraded in photoaged skin. We developed a rapid in vivo assay, `The Manchester Patch Test Assay', which predicts the potential of anti-ageing products to restore microfibrils in photoaged skin. The assay was used to demonstrate the efficacy of a Boots Healthcare anti-ageing product and was showcased on the BBC's Horizon in 2007. Impacts include: dramatically increased sales for Boots, investment and changes to the product development strategies of more than 10 international personal care companies, which have used our assay to support product claims.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Clinical Medicine

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

The Manchester Patch Test Assay: providing a scientific test for the efficacy of anti-ageing products

Summary of the impact

Extensible fibrillin-rich microfibrils support elastic fibres that endow tissues with elastic recoil. We showed that microfibrils are degraded in photodamaged skin, causing loss of elasticity and wrinkling. We developed a rapid in vivo assay, `The Manchester Patch Test Assay', which predicts the potential of anti-ageing products to restore microfibrils in photoaged skin. The assay was used to demonstrate the efficacy of a Boots Healthcare anti-ageing product, showcased on BBC Horizon in 2007. Impacts include: dramatically increased sales for Boots, investment and changes to product development strategies of international personal care companies, who now use `The Manchester Patch Test Assay' to support product claims.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Biological Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Identification of the genetic basis of inherited keratin skin disorders leading to advances in diagnosis for patients.

Summary of the impact

Keratins are major cytoskeletal proteins of epithelial cells. Pioneering research at the University of Dundee led by Prof Irwin McLean FRSE and Prof Birgit Lane FRSE showed the association of keratin mutations with genetic skin fragility disorders. This has dramatically changed the diagnosis of inherited skin disorders and has directly translated into improved clinical management of patients both in the UK and internationally. Further work on this disease has resulted in the first clinical trial using siRNA for a skin condition.

Submitting Institution

University of Dundee

Unit of Assessment

Biological Sciences

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology

Identification of novel effects of long wavelength UV (UVA) leads to updated evaluation of health risks and improved approaches to protection

Summary of the impact

New research at Lancaster on the biological effects of UVA radiation has generated three main impacts, first resulting in a leading sun cream manufacturer (Boots Ltd. PLC) to re-evaluate its product development process to account for UVA exposure. Second, the research was one of the key drivers of a recent re-assessment of the validity of the UV index by a working group acting for the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Finally, the research has been used in public education related to sun protection and the use of tanning beds through both direct engagement with the media and work with North West Cancer Research.

Submitting Institution

Lancaster University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Immunology, Oncology and Carcinogenesis

Foot Health Devices

Summary of the impact

University of Salford researchers have transferred knowledge from research in the foot health devices sector into products and services in commercial and clinical settings, supporting a £100 billion global healthcare equipment and supplies industry, contributing to economies and to quality of life on a daily basis for those with foot and lower limb health problems, world-wide. The benefiting partners are part of global businesses and public and private sector clinical services and researchers have pioneered the connection of research to commercial foot health contexts on a unique scale:

  • Supporting innovation in foot related clinical practice and thus improved quality of life for people with a range of health challenges;
  • Bringing credible and science led innovation in foot health devices to commercial partners and the market, contributing significant economic benefit internationally.

Submitting Institution

University of Salford

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Clinical Sciences, Human Movement and Sports Science, Public Health and Health Services

Collagen Stimulating Lipopeptides for Cosmetic Applications

Summary of the impact

The multi-million pound skincare industry has benefitted greatly from research carried out since 2009 at Reading, demonstrating for the first time that an ingredient in some anti-ageing face creams can genuinely increase the amount of collagen produced by skin cells, thereby removing the appearance of wrinkles. The research investigated the nanostructure of the lipopeptide known as Matrixyl and how changes to its environment and composition affect its structure and activity. These findings received widespread media coverage in the UK and abroad, leading to noticeable increases in sales of Matrixyl-containing products by Procter and Gamble and enhancing the business of the UK-based SME Forme Laboratories, who have developed a new line of effective skincare products for menopausal women, based on the Reading results.

Submitting Institution

University of Reading

Unit of Assessment

Chemistry

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Biological Sciences: Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Medical and Health Sciences: Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Prevention of atopic eczema through appropriate neonatal skin care practices. (ICS-12)

Summary of the impact

Atopic eczema affects approximately 30% of children, causing suffering at a crucial time in their development. An increasing prevalence has raised concern that newborn skin care may be a factor. University of Manchester (UoM) research explored the effect of a range of products including commercial baby skin care products on skin integrity. We identified harmful practices related to topical oil use; established that a specially formulated newborn cleansing product was safe; and demonstrated increased maternal-reported nappy rash, when cotton wool and water, as opposed to baby wipes, were used. The findings have: changed the attitudes of healthcare professionals to baby skin care practices; informed the guidance provided to parents of newborns, allowing them to make informed choices (a YouTube video featuring the research has been viewed almost 400,000 times); and increased sales of Johnson & Johnson baby skin care products by 15%.

Submitting Institution

University of Manchester

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Health

Research Subject Area(s)

Medical and Health Sciences: Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Immunology, Public Health and Health Services

Economic and health benefits of novel light therapies for the treatment of skin conditions.

Summary of the impact

Research at Swansea University on light therapy has contributed to an extensive market in laser and intense pulsed light (IPL) products for the therapeutic and cosmetic treatment of skin conditions. Impacts include: globally registered intellectual property; local manufacturing of a wide range of laser and IPL products; their distribution to over 40 countries; and resulting benefits to health in treating acne, rejuvenating skin and removing hair. The research undertaken by Swansea University and its companies pioneered this market in partnership with Procter & Gamble and Unilever; and established a joint venture with Sony UK to manufacture these laser and IPL products in South Wales. The Welsh government views this collaboration as an exemplar for the resurgence of UK specialist manufacturing.

Submitting Institution

Swansea University

Unit of Assessment

Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Technology: Medical Biotechnology
Medical and Health Sciences: Neurosciences, Pharmacology and Pharmaceutical Sciences

Commercialisation of a novel close-chamber technology for water vapour flux density measurements in skin.

Summary of the impact

This case study relates to research that has had an economic and application impact through the continued operation of a University spin out company, Biox Systems Ltd. The success of the Company's AquaFlux device for measuring aspects of skin barrier performance has, since 2008, resulted in:

  • Sales of 148 instruments producing revenues of £1.37million and net profits of £190k;
  • Exports into 15 countries accounting for 82% of revenues;
  • Significant reinvestment (£200k) in new product development;
  • 3 new full time technical level jobs.

Access to AquaFlux has enabled commercial and R&D organisations, including health care, household product and cosmetic industries, to gain better insights into the performance of their products. AquaFlux has been cited as the "gold standard" for Trans-Epidermal Water Loss (TEWL) measurement.

Submitting Institution

London South Bank University

Unit of Assessment

General Engineering

Summary Impact Type

Technological

Research Subject Area(s)

Physical Sciences: Other Physical Sciences
Chemical Sciences: Analytical Chemistry
Technology: Communications Technologies

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