Skin fibroblast cells - version 1

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Ageing in skin fibroblast cells

  • IRAS ID

    187622

  • Contact name

    David Gunn

  • Contact email

    david.gunn@unilever.com

  • Sponsor organisation

    Unilever Research

  • Duration of Study in the UK

    9 years, 10 months, 31 days

  • Research summary

    Skin ageing is the most visible and discernible manifestation of the ageing process. As an outcome of advanced skin ageing, skin cancer is one the most common cancers in the UK, with rates of malignant melanoma in Great Britain rising faster than any of the current ten most common cancers (source:- Cancer Research UK). Unilever is a large foods, home and personal care company, selling many forms of skin creams and products throughout the world. To innovate new products that can reduce the rate of, or even reverse, skin ageing, human skin cells derived from biopsy studies are an invaluable resource. Such cells offer a long-term resource which enable in-depth molecular biology research into skin ageing and prevents the need for regularly sourcing new skin biopsies. Currently, there are a number of skin fibroblast cell strains at Unilever Colworth in the UK which were derived from skin biopsies studies carried out in 1998-2001. This protocol outlines the continued use of these fibroblast cells to further the advancement of new skin anti-ageing treatments.

  • REC name

    West Midlands - Black Country Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    16/WM/0041

  • Date of REC Opinion

    8 Feb 2016

  • REC opinion

    Favourable Opinion