A 3D printed bio-hybrid optical skin model for light-skin interactions

Skin models are important tools in biomaterials research because they can replicate the structure and function of human skin, providing an in-vitro platform to reduce in-vivo tests. Optical skin models in particular offer great potential for investigating light-skin interactions in biomedical applications such as imaging or laser treatment. Conventional models have limitations, particularly when it comes to representing cellular responses to external optical stimuli. The complexity of human skin and the associated optical properties pose a challenge. Therefore, there is a need to develop an optical model that can both represent the optical properties of skin and simulate cellular processes when exposed to light. In this study, we develop a bio-hybrid model with the optical properties of skin and with the inclusion of cells in the model to investigate the cellular response when exposed to external optical stimuli.