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Development of a Device for Multiphoton Microscopy of Dermal Collagen in Skin [Semester Project/Master Thesis]
This project involves the development of a method and/or device to improve multiphoton imaging of collagen in skin to enable the study of structural changes which occur during aging.
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves to protect us from environmental insults. One of the properties critical to this function is skin’s deformability and strain-stiffening behaviour. As we age, various changes occur in the skin, leading to reduced tissue strength and thus an increased susceptibility to tearing, especially in the elderly. Given that collagen is the main structural component of the skin, collagen-related changes are likely to account for the loss of mechanical integrity. While it is known that the rate of collagen synthesis declines with age while the rate of collagen degradation and accumulated damage increases, little is known about the role of collagen network structure in aging skin and its implications on the skin’s mechanical properties. Previous research in our lab has demonstrated that skin from chronologically aged mice tears at lower forces and exhibits less strain-stiffening behavior than unaged mouse skin, while displaying similar deformability – all pointing to collagen network alterations.
One convenient method of visualizing collagen network structure in the skin is multiphoton microscopy. This technique enables visualization of collagen in fresh and processed whole mouse skin samples without the need for added dyes or visualization agents. However, other tissues, such as hair, fat, and connective tissues adhering to the skin make it difficult to image the dermal collagen. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an imaging method and a suitable skin fixation device to enable reliable imaging of dermal collagen in mouse skin samples.
Skin is the largest organ in the human body and serves to protect us from environmental insults. One of the properties critical to this function is skin’s deformability and strain-stiffening behaviour. As we age, various changes occur in the skin, leading to reduced tissue strength and thus an increased susceptibility to tearing, especially in the elderly. Given that collagen is the main structural component of the skin, collagen-related changes are likely to account for the loss of mechanical integrity. While it is known that the rate of collagen synthesis declines with age while the rate of collagen degradation and accumulated damage increases, little is known about the role of collagen network structure in aging skin and its implications on the skin’s mechanical properties. Previous research in our lab has demonstrated that skin from chronologically aged mice tears at lower forces and exhibits less strain-stiffening behavior than unaged mouse skin, while displaying similar deformability – all pointing to collagen network alterations. One convenient method of visualizing collagen network structure in the skin is multiphoton microscopy. This technique enables visualization of collagen in fresh and processed whole mouse skin samples without the need for added dyes or visualization agents. However, other tissues, such as hair, fat, and connective tissues adhering to the skin make it difficult to image the dermal collagen. Therefore, it is imperative to develop an imaging method and a suitable skin fixation device to enable reliable imaging of dermal collagen in mouse skin samples.
- Design a sample fixation device to improve image quality of collagen in skin samples. (Previous CAD experience is a plus)
- Evaluate different sample preparation techniques and their impact on collagen structure
- Develop a protocol to visualize collagen structure in mouse skins samples under different amounts of deformation
- Design a sample fixation device to improve image quality of collagen in skin samples. (Previous CAD experience is a plus) - Evaluate different sample preparation techniques and their impact on collagen structure - Develop a protocol to visualize collagen structure in mouse skins samples under different amounts of deformation