Understanding QQ in Skincare
What Makes This Unique?
Quorum Sensing is the process of communication between bacterial cells via signaling molecules. This happens based on population density and enables behavior coordination. Bacterial behavior is expressed in biofilm creation, virulence, genetic competence, antibiotic production, swarming mobility. Quorum Quenching is the process of disrupting or inhibiting quorum sensing in microorganisms. This can be achieved by using natural or synthetic compounds that interfere with the production, detection, or response to quorum sensing molecules.
Quorum Quenching Analysis can become a valuable tool in laboratory cosmetic testing services to shift the microbial balance in favor of skin beneficial properties!
Lab Innovation for Anti-Acne care
Our skin, home to a diverse array of microorganisms, plays important roles in skin health maintenance and protection against pathogens. These microorganisms, collectively known as skin microbiome, are essential to skin health. Quorum sensing has been shown to play a catalytic role in the behavior of the skin microbes as it is used to coordinate the production of biofilms on the skin surface.
In the context of the skin microbiome, quorum quenching has been proposed as a potential strategy for modulating the behavior of skin microbes and promoting skin health. For example, several studies have suggested that quorum quenching could be used to disrupt the biofilms formed by pathogenic skin microbes, making them more susceptible to immune clearance and antimicrobial agents.
We have developed QQA service so our customers could roll out breakthrough quorum quenching technology products (eg. anti-acne), that can inhibit the communication of “bad” skin bacteria and rebalance skin microbiome.
This is done by a protocol developed for screening constituents or formulations, for their ability to inhibit quorum sensing of targeted microbes such as P.acnes and S.aureus. In summary, constituent or formulation is applied at ranging concentrations and at different stages of bacterial cultures (ATCC) known for biofilm formation.
Quantification of biofilm formation is performed using a modified and optimized methodology of biofilm staining and measurement in microtiter plates, which has been widely applied in literature, in various formats and for a variety of microorganisms. A suitable candidate substance should be able to inhibit biofilm formation by inhibiting quorum sensing under these in-vitro conditions.
In the context of laboratory cosmetic testing, researchers can employ quorum quenching analysis to identify and assess cosmetic ingredients or formulations that possess quorum quenching properties. This analysis involves studying the effects of these substances on microbial communication, determining their ability to interfere with quorum sensing and potentially shift the microbial balance in favor of skin beneficial properties.