A method of constructing a data architecture for use in identifying connections between perturbagens and genes associated with skin tone. The method includes providing a gene expression profile for a control cell, generating a gene expression profile for a cell exposed to a perturbagen, identifying genes differentially expressed in response to the perturbagen, creating an ordered list of identifiers, storing the ordered list as an instance on a computer readable medium, and constructing a data architecture of stored instances.

The present invention provides a method for measuring senescence of a test subject, including a step of measuring a level of taurine modification of mitochondrial tRNA.sup.Leu(UUR) in a biological sample isolated from a test subject, by a reverse transcription reaction from a primer with the tRNA.sup.Leu(UUR) as a template. In addition, the present invention also provides a senescence determining drug containing a primer containing a base sequence consisting of 10-25 bases and complementary to the mitochondrial tRNA.sup.Leu(UUR). Furthermore, the present invention also provides a senescence determining kit containing a primer containing a base sequence consisting of 10-25 bases and complementary to the mitochondrial tRNA.sup.Leu(UUR) and a reverse transcriptase. Moreover, the present invention also provides an agent for improving a taurine modification rate of mitochondrial tRNA.sup.Leu(UUR), containing taurine as an active ingredient.

A scaffold-stretching system includes at least one stretchable loading chamber configured to support a scaffold material and a supply of cells, such as human skin substitute cells, and is configured to allow for cultivation of a cellular three-dimensional scaffold; and a mechanical loading system is configured for application of cyclic and static uniaxial tensile mechanical loading on the cellular three-dimensional scaffold, and is configured to mimic the in vivo environment of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and other tissues that experience uniaxial strains.

The present invention relates to a method for identifying the skin sensitizer potency of a test agent, and arrays and analytical kits for use in such methods.

In one aspect, a method for identifying age-preventing agents for skin is disclosed. Skin samples are transferred to a first vessel, a second vessel, and a third vessel. A skin age inducing agent is applied to the skin samples in the first vessel and the second vessel. A prospective age-preventing agent is applied to the skin sample in the first vessel. Genetic material is extracted from the skin samples in the first vessel, the second vessel and the third vessel. A quantity of a skin age biomarker is measured in the extracted genetic material from each vessel. A score is determined for the skin samples in the first vessel, the second vessel and the third vessel based on the quantity of skin age biomarker measured in the genetic material extracted from the skin sample in each vessel, wherein the score is indicative of a condition of the skin sample in each vessel.

The present invention provides novel mitochondrial fusion transcripts and related deletion molecules that are associated with UV exposure. Methods for in vivo and in vitro detection of mtDNA molecules and associated fusion transcripts is also provided, as is their use in the screening and testing of skin care products.

Methods and systems for determining functional relationships between a skin-active agent and a skin condition of interest, and methods and systems for identifying cosmetic agents effective for treatment of dandruff, as well as the use of agents identified by such methods and systems for the preparation of cosmetic compositions, personal care products, or both are provided. Methods for developing in vitro models of skin disease and models for specific skin diseases are also provided.

The disclosure relates to the identification and the use of compounds which regulate the expression of at least one Sestrin gene, for preventing and/or attenuating skin ageing, and/or for hydrating the skin and/or for regulating skin pigmentation. The method includes the following steps: a. bringing at least one test compound in contact with a sample of human keratinocytes or melanocytes; b. measuring the expression of at least one Sestrin gene chosen from SESN3, SESN2 and SESN1 in the keratinocytes or melanocytes; c. selecting the compounds for which an activation of at least 1.6 fold of the expression of at least one of the genes is measured in the keratinocytes treated in a. compared with the untreated keratinocytes, or for which a significant modulation of the expression of at least one of the genes is measured in the melanocytes treated in a. compared with the untreated melanocytes.

Disclosed is a method for identification and use of compounds which activate the expression or activity of uc.291 for improving skin barrier function, and/or for preventing and/or attenuating ageing, and/or for hydrating skin. The disclosed in vitro method for screening for candidate compounds for improving skin barrier function, and/or for preventing and/or attenuating ageing of the skin, and/or for hydrating the skin, includes: a. bringing at least one test compound in contact with a sample of keratinocytes; b. measuring the expression or the activity of uc.291 in the keratinocytes; and c. selecting the compounds for which an activation of at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 40% of the expression or an activation of at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, preferably at least 40% of the activity of uc.291 is measured in the keratinocytes treated in a. compared with the untreated keratinocytes.

Methods and systems for constructing a gene expression signature representative of a number of biological conditions, systems and methods for determining functional relationships between a skin-active agent and skin conditions of interest, and methods and systems for identifying skin-active agents with broad spectrum activity are provided.