How They Develop Wrinkle Cream

Ever wonder how your anti wrinkle cream came to be? Do you wonder how science plays into that little jar or bottle of cream? Then you might be interested to learn how scientists “think up” all those ideas that culminate into your anti wrinkle cream’s existence.Actually, before the laboratory, the process of creating your anti wrinkle cream most likely starts in some meeting room or office. Scientists and company executives are talking about…skin wrinkles. Or rather, the pathways leading up to the appearance of skin wrinkles. They might sketch something as follows:Skin cells ’ cells produce collagen ’ long collagen fibril chains form lattice network ’ skin feels and looks firmIf any of these steps are disrupted, then skin wrinkles form. The task is to focus on one of the steps in the pathway and design targeted therapies. For example, let’s say our scientists have decided to focus on the step where collagen forms into long fibrils. A targeted therapy may be to design a “sticky molecule” to help adhere collagen. Or, they want to design a molecule that helps strengthen collagen.After the execs “ok” a project, now the job turns entirely to the scientists to turn the concept into reality. Sometimes they will start with a known molecule- collagen, for example- and work at the molecular level to alter the composition, or structure, of collagen. Though what they have created is a “synthetic” molecule not commonly found in nature. The hope is the synthetic molecule can behave just like collage, or can interact with collagen and improve it.Sometimes, though, scientists will literally start from scratch. By combing through vast databases of proteins with no (as yet) known function, known as “orphans,” and see if one might actually show favorable interaction with collagen. Although cynics would compare this approach to throwing a plate of pasta against the wall and seeing what sticks, this is a valid method and many times, this leads to the spark that sets off the investigation of a potential hot new product.When a molecule is found that binds to collagen, the functional tests begin. Scientists have stores of frozen skin cells that can be thawed, incubated, and grown in petri dishes or culture flasks. The experimental molecule is added and then the cells are visualized. What the scientists hope to see, in our example, are long, intact chains of collagen. They will track the progress over a period of time to see if treated collagen looks better than non-treated collagen. If it does, then we have a potential winner!This is but the beginning steps and a long way from when that molecule starts appearing in your favorite anti wrinkle cream. After functional assays come more tests. The molecule gets passed on to scientists who then focus on trying to get the molecule to work in the context of the anti wrinkle formulation. Then more tests for efficacy, safety, possible allergic reactions. Months to perhaps years later, you will see this unique anti wrinkle cream at your local store!