1. Artificial Skin By: Raymond Litteaur

2. History of Burns  Before artificial skin was developed, burns covering 50% of the body were considered to be fatal.  In 2000, artificial skin cut death rates in people with over 70% burns from 100% to 40%.  Skin is the body’s largest organs and protects us from physical damage, disease, and controls our body’s temperature.

3. How Artificial Skin is Made  Skin is usually donated by other donors.  Fibroblasts are removed from the donated skin and are frozen until they are needed.  The fibroblasts are placed on a polymeric mesh scaffolding, gather oxygen, and grow new cells.  The cells are then transferred to a culture system.

4. Artificial Skin cont.  After 4 weeks the polymer mesh dissolves and leaves behind a new layer of dermal skin.  When the growth cycle is completed, they add more nutrients.  Keratinocytes are added to the collagen and are exposed to air to form epidermal layers.  The skin is now completed and is stored in sterile contains until ready to use.

5. How Artificial Skin is Used  Artificial skin is already being used for burn victims and soon will be available for other skin disorders.  The skin is not used for a permanent replacement, but to temporary cover the skin until your skin can grow back naturally.

6. The Future  Because skin is an organ, there are many similarities between skin and other organs.  There is hope to regenerate joints, ears, noses, livers, kidneys, and hearts.

7. References  GAO Report. 31 May 2005. GAO-05-759T. “Advanced Technology Program: Inherent Factors in Selection Process Are Likely to Limit Identification of Similar Research” http://www.gao.gov/htext/d05759t.html  McNulty, Mary F. “Artificial Skin”. http://www.gale-edit.com/products/volumes/skin.htm  Smith, Carol. 23 Feb. 2001. “Artificial skin offers genuine hope” http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/burn231.shtml  T.J. Samson Community Hospital. 1 Jan 2005. “Artificial Skin” http://tjsamson.client.web- health.com/web- health/topics/GeneralHealth/generalhealthsub/generalhealth/skin&hair&nails/AGING&COSMETIC/ski n_artificial.html  Pictures:  http://www.devicelink.com/mddi/archive/98/05/018.html http://www.devicelink.com/mddi/archive/98/05/018.html  http://www.biomed.metu.edu.tr/courses/term_papers/artificial%20skin_cinar.htm http://www.biomed.metu.edu.tr/courses/term_papers/artificial%20skin_cinar.htm