The Skin at the Crossroads of Science: Integrated Approaches and New Research Models

• Nom du/des porteur(s) : Muriel Cario (1), Franck Morel (2), Corinne Nardin (3), Kévin Baranger (4)
• Laboratoire ou institution affiliée : (1) U1312 – BRIC, Inserm, Université de Bordeaux, (2) LITEC, UR15560, Université de Poitiers, (3) IPREM UMR5253, CNRS/Université de Pau et Pays de l’Adour, (4) LIENSs, UMR7266 CNRS/LRU.
• Main topics: Skin, diseases, therapeutic targets, experimental models, skin engineering, ethics
• Abstract (1,500 characters max): objectives, research question, approach, target audience

This symposium aims to explore the synergies between basic and translational research and clinical innovations in order to address the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of inflammatory and genetic skin diseases. The development of personalized medicine relies on the identification of robust biomarkers and new therapeutic targets derived from integrated omics analyses. Studying the interactions between epidermal, dermal, and immune cells and the microbiome is essential for understanding pathophysiological mechanisms and optimizing the delivery of active ingredients to specific skin compartments. Furthermore, replacing murine experimental models is not only a major scientific challenge—since these models imperfectly replicate human physiology—but also raises ethical, philosophical, and legal issues. Reconstructed skin models, incorporating vascularization and immune components, offer relevant platforms for pharmacological screening and toxicological evaluation. The development of methods to characterize tissue properties before and after treatment under quasi-physiological conditions is essential for integrating clinical, transcriptomic, and imaging data and will facilitate the emergence of safer, more targeted, and effective therapeutic strategies.

Our goal is to bring together communities of chemists, physicists, biologists, clinicians, and partners from the humanities and social sciences (HSS) around the theme of “skin.” This meeting will highlight the latest research and innovative techniques developed by scientists and clinicians, while discussing technical, legal, and ethical requirements, as well as the models needed for future research. These discussions will be enriched by the expertise of HSS partners, with the aim of structuring and energizing this multidisciplinary community.

Target audience: Academic researchers and clinicians, doctoral students, professionals in the dermo-cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, and stakeholders in the humanities and social sciences.

• Proposed format: Lectures and short presentations. Priority will be given to presentations by doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, and residents.
• Duration and logistical requirements (room, equipment, etc.) – 1 day.
• Proposed partners or potential speakers: Scientific partners (Chemistry, Physics, Biology) Researchers in physics, chemistry, biology, signal processing/AI, social sciences and humanities, and clinicians,