A South Korean research team has developed artificial skin capable of both regenerating skin and simultaneously transmitting sensation, which is expected to benefit patients with skin damage due to burns and other injuries.

A joint research team led by Jung Young-mee, principal researcher at the Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST), Yu Ki-jun, professor at Yonsei University, and Kim Tae-il, professor at Sungkyunkwan University, announced Sunday that it published the research results on the development of Smart Bionic Artificial Skin in international journal Nature Communications on January 2nd, 2024.

Smart bionic Artificial Skin detects subtle pressure changes from the external environment and a flexible pressure sensor inside the artificial skin recognizes changes in pressure. The detected pressure changes are then converted into electrical signals via the electronic tactile receptor, a device that transforms external pressure or other stimuli into electrical signals.

Electrodes transmit these signals, enabling the artificial skin to perform tactile functions similar to natural skin.

The research team transplanted the Smart Bionic Artificial Skin onto mice with severe skin damage. After analyzing the effects of promoting skin regeneration and reconstructing tactile function, the results showed a wound healing effect of over 120 percent compared to the control group 14 days post-transplant.

The artificial skin was able to detect external changes similar to the pressure range felt at the tips of human fingers, and the mice’s responses changed through the modulation of electrical signals accordingly.

The research team emphasized that the developed artificial skin is effective in directly transplanting into the nerve layer of the subcutaneous fat of damaged skin for sensory transmission and skin regeneration.

The latest research is expected to be beneficial for patients with skin damage and promising for elderly patients experiencing sensory degradation.

By Ko Jae-won and Lee Eun-joo

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