Seahorse XF Technology Helps P&G Research the Science of Skin

-- XF technology fights the effects of aging skin

BILLERICA, Massachusetts, Sept. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- As reported in this week's The Scientist Magazine, Seahorse Bioscience XF Extracellular Flux technology is being utilized by Procter & Gamble (P&G) skin care scientists to pioneer applications in cellular bioenergetics, to discover the right ingredient combinations that could positively impact skin's natural bioenergy production and re-energize aged skin cells.

P&G scientists are the first in the beauty industry to employ the Seahorse XF Analyzer, which simultaneously measures mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis in real-time, to research cellular energetics and measure and evaluate the effect of ingredients on cell metabolism.

"The overall aging that we experience, a lot of it is driven by cellular energetics," stated John Oblong, Ph.D., a principal scientist at P&G. Mary Johnson, M.S., also a principal scientist at P&G added, "Seahorse's analyzer has replaced tedious experiments in which researchers had to isolate individual mitochondria or use special electrodes to measure oxygen consumption. The ease of the Seahorse system has ignited an explosion of studies into cellular bioenergetics in the past decade."

The XF Analyzer measures the two major energy pathways of the cell - mitochondrial respiration and glycolysis - in real-time. By profiling the metabolic activity of skin cells, scientists can
now track and measure cellular energy metrics, such as ATP turnover and NADPH levels, to study the impact of free radical stress mimicking UV exposure in young cells compared to old cells.

"It's exciting to see XF technology being used for this type of novel research," stated David Ferrick, Ph.D., Seahorse Bioscience CSO. "Using the XF Analyzer P&G scientists were able to test and determine which compounds promoted respiration and glycolysis, potentially causing the cells to increase their metabolism and possibly making the skin cells healthier and more attractive."

P&G scientists demonstrated that in vitro skin cells under oxidative stress conditions experience a significant decrease in ATP, which leads to reduced cellular activity. Older cells, in particular, showed a heightened sensitivity to oxidative stress response, suggesting that aging and environmental factors negatively impact cells' ability to produce and consume energy.

About Seahorse Bioscience

Providing industry-leading analytical instruments and assay kits for research and drug discovery. Scientists worldwide are advancing their research in understanding the role of mitochondrial function in cancer, neuroscience, immunology, obesity, diabetes, ageing, cardiovascular function, and safety toxicity. Learn more: www.seahorsebio.com. 

CONTACT: Naomi Goumillout, 978-671-1619, ngoumillout@seahorsebio.com