Savvini Gkouma

Savvini Gkouma

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Savvini Gkouma

Division of Protein Technology, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Stockholm, Sweden

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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5 November 2024 in Biofabrication
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
SGSavvini Gkouma
Savvini Gkouma
NBNayanika Bhalla
Nayanika Bhalla
SFSolène Frapard
Solène Frapard
AJAlexander Jönsson
Alexander Jönsson
HGHakan Gürbüz
Hakan Gürbüz
MHMy Hedhammar
My Hedhammar
Physiologically relevant human skin models that include key skin cell types can be used for in vitro drug testing, skin pathology studies, or clinical applications such as skin grafts. However, there is still no golden standard for such a model. We investigated the potential of a recombinant functionalized spider silk protein, FN-silk, for the construction of a dermal, an epidermal, and a bilayered skin equivalent (BSE). Specifically, two formats of FN-silk (i.e. 3D network and nanomembrane) were evaluated. The 3D network was used as an elastic ECM-like support for the dermis, and the thin, permeable nanomembrane was used as a basement membrane to support the epidermal epithelium. Immunofluorescence microscopy and spatially resolved transcriptomics analysis demonstrated the secretion of key ECM components and the formation of microvascular-like structures. Furthermore, the epidermal layer exhibited clear stratification and the formation of a cornified layer, resulting in a tight physiologic epithelial barrier. Our findings indicate that the presented FN-silk-based skin models can be proposed as physiologically relevant standalone epidermal or dermal models, as well as a combined BSE.