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HOW

Our project's methodology and feasibility

Methodology

We use four biomaterials to synthesise our artificial skin: bacterial polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), fermented jellyfish collagen (FJC), bovine ligament elastin, and brown algal alginate. We plan to purchase PHB, elastin, and alginate from Sigma-Aldrich, which possesses these materials of natural origins, either from wastewater-cultured microbes, bovine, or brown algae. That can promote the recycling of biological wastes in the environment. 

 

As for collagen, on the other hand, we plan to obtain it from jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum) using the method documented by Sudirman et al. (2023). This method involves cleaning, extracting, breaking, and purifying Rhopilema esculentum to acquire jellyfish collagen (JC) extract. This JC extract will then undergo a bacterial fermentation step, whose components include Bacillus subtilis culture and nutrients required for its growth (Sudirman et al., 2023).

 

Finally, we will combine the resulting FJC with the purchased PHB, elastin, and alginate through 3D bioprinting (Hu & Lo, 2021). The product will be the prototype of our artificial skin (Figure 1).

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Figure 1. 3D bioprinting to combine PHB, FJC, elastin, and alginate. Created in BioRender.

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Considering the aesthetic aspect of our artificial skin, we also plan to use melanin, the most vital factor in producing the pigment of human skin, to stain it after its production (Naik & Farrukh, 2021). The resulting product will resemble human skin and help patients hide their minor scars beneath it.

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Feasibility

Our methodology uses three published and peer-reviewed biotechnologies to produce our artificial skin: 1. FJC extraction from Rhopilema esculentum (Sudirman et al., 2023); 2. 3D bioprinting to hybridise bacterial PHB, FJC, bovine ligament elastin, and brown algal alginate (Hu & Lo, 2021); 3. melanin staining of the artificial skin prototype (Naik & Farrukh, 2021). In addition, chemicals and equipment used in this process involve only ordinary laboratory consumables and devices like NaOH, acetic acid, centrifuge, etc. Therefore, on the aspect of technologies, our project is feasible.

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As for budgets, on the other hand, our project is also feasible. Ordinary chemicals and equipment are available in Biology, Chemistry, or Bioengineering teaching labs. The list of consumables that are required to be purchased is as follows:

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  1. PHB: we will purchase it from Sigma-Aldrich for £141 for 10 g.

  2. Jellyfish: we will buy jellyfish from the Billingsgate Market. The price estimate is £17.

  3. Bovine ligament elastin: we will buy it from Avantor for £109 for 5 g.

  4. Brown algal alginate: we will order it also from Sigma-Aldrich for £107 for 1 kg.

  5. Melanin: we will purchase it also from Sigma-Aldrich for £176 for 250 mg.

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Therefore, the estimated budget for our project is £550, which is feasible.

References

Hu, T. & Lo, A. C. Y. (2021) Collagen–alginate composite hydrogel: application in tissue engineering and biomedical sciences. Polymers. 13 (11), 1852. doi: 10.3390/polym13111852.

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Naik, P. P. & Farrukh, S. N. (2022) Influence of ethnicities and skin color variations in different populations: a review. Skin Pharmacology and Physiology. 35 (2), 65–76. doi: 10.1159/000518826.

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Sudirman, S., Chen, C.-Y., Chen, C.-K., Felim, J., Kuo, H.-P. & Kong, Z.-L. (2023) Fermented jellyfish (Rhopilema esculentum) collagen enhances antioxidant activity and cartilage protection on surgically induced osteoarthritis in obese rats. Frontiers in Pharmacology. 14, 1117893. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1117893.

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