The density of collagen and elastin in the dermis is well known to reduce with chronological aging.  Tests on human or mouse dermal fibroblast cell cultures can investigate the effects of actives on stimulating the production of these important structural proteins. ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) tests are used to quantify protein expression in the culture systems.

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Whilst the levels of collagen in your dermis are well known to reduce with aging, what is less well known is that the structure and orientation of the collagen fibres also changes.  The skin research team at TRI is also developing novel spectroscopic methods to assess the structure and orientation of collagen in skin biopsy samples as part of clinical testing.