Metro North has skin in the game of new research

Metro North Health Practitioner and UQ Frazer Institute Researcher Dr Abbas Shafiee

New world-first research at the University of Queensland (UQ) has seen researchers successfully grow fully functioning human skin in a laboratory, thanks to funding from Metro North Health.

The research team at UQ’s Frazer Institute used stem cells to create a replica of human skin, complete with blood vessels, capillaries, hair follicles, layers of tissue and immune cells. It is the only skin model in the world with its own blood vessels and immune cells.

Until now, scientists have been limited in how they study skin diseases and develop new therapies.

Metro North Health Practitioner and UQ Frazer Institute Researcher Dr Abbas Shafiee said the research is an exciting step forward that will transform how skin conditions are understood and treated.

“This research will help speed up the discovery of new and improved treatments for wound and skin diseases and skin graft transplants,” Dr Shafiee said.

“It means patients within Metro North and beyond could benefit from faster, safter and more effective therapies in the future.”

It is hoped that the new technology can soon be used with cells from patients who have different skin conditions to test for genetic skin diseases and understand the pathobiology of these conditions.

“In addition, we will evaluate our newly developed technology as a preclinical platform for testing new treatments with the goal of setting a new benchmark in dermatology,” Dr Shafiee said.

“The current research is not only advancing science but also building local capability.”

“By developing skin replica, we’re positioning Queensland at the forefront of innovation in skin health and creating opportunities for future treatments that can directly benefit patients.”