Dr. Karine Raymond and her team develop 3D skin organoids with hair follicles from stem cells, mimicking human skin. These models reveal interactions between follicles and epidermis, reminiscent of the symbiosis between anemones and clownfish—mutual protection, nutrient exchange, and tolerance to stings. Like the anemone, the hair follicle is multifunctional: it protects, senses, regulates temperature, lubricates, and serves as an immune hub.
Impact
Skin diseases affect about 1.8 billion people worldwide and represent a significant burden in terms of years lived with disability (42.9 million DALYs in 2019). Their incidence has increased sharply since 1990, particularly for ulcers and bacterial skin infections. 3D skin models, such as those developed by Dr. Karine Raymond, are essential for studying skin diseases, allowing a better understanding of their pathophysiology and the evaluation of treatment efficacy.
reNEW research
Dr. Karine Raymond and her team are continuously improving 3D skin organoids from stem cells, featuring various skin cell types and hair follicles to better resemble human skin. They have developed stem cells carrying mutations in genes involved in diseases originating from hair follicle defects to study their impact. Just as a clownfish cannot survive without the protection of a sea anemone, hair follicle defects can have serious consequences for skin health.
Image description
Whole-mount staining of a 130-day-old skin organoid with developing hair follicles (epithelial cells shown in white).
Credits
Charlotte De Henau, PhD candidate, Raymond Lab, reNEW Leiden.
