Search

Abstract: The human skin is a multi‐layered material consisting of three layers: the epidermis, dermis, and subcutis. The epidermis is the dominant structure that affects the properties of the skin, such as tensile strength and stiffness. The skin regulates body temperature, provides insulation, and protects inner organs. Skin structure has a substantial influence on skin biomechanics. For instance, anisotropy is a result of the alignment of elastin and collagen fibers in the dermis that compels the skin to exhibit greater tension in one direction, making it appear stiffer. The mechanical properties (such as stiffness, extensibility, and strength) of this organ are important from the clinical, cosmet-ic, and biomechanical standpoints. A fundamental understanding of skin mechanics is important for the development of useful products for cosmetology. As an illustration, changes in the mechanical properties of the skin can shed light on the efficacy of cosmeceutical formulations. In this review, we will highlight skin structure and then discuss the biomechanics of this important organ.

Advanced capabilities in genomic sequencing developed in the research sector will soon enter the clinical arena. Issues such as the proportioning of patient specimen material for traditional bright-field microscopic evaluation or dedication for molecular analysis will intensify, particularly in situations of small core biopsies. Microfluidics appears aptly suited as a platform capable of allowing traditional cytologic diagnostics and downstream molecular analysis from the same specimen. However, clarification is needed to determine that forces which act on cells in a fluidic environment do not drastically alter their cytologic features.Cells were processed for flow-through in a microfluidic channel and evaluated qualitatively and quantitatively for alterations due to fluid-shear stress or anoikis.Processing caused separation of cells from cohesive clusters to smaller groups and individual cells, leading to greater variation in parameters associated with the nucleus in nontumor cells but no significant change in tumor cells. These differences were most readily apparent by quantitative measures, and to a lesser extent, qualitative evaluation. Time-dependent processing played a larger role in cytologic alteration than fluid-shear stress for nontumor cells.Passage of cells through a microfluidic channel is a feasible approach that can be integrated into future platforms intent on integrating cytologic assessment of cells with recovery of the same cells for downstream assays.