Advances in Microengineered Platforms for Skin Research

Recent advances in microfluidic technologies have led to the development of skin-on-a-chip devices that replicate key features of human skin, offering improved models for dermatology research. These platforms provide enhanced control over fluid flow, allowing precise manipulation of cell and molecular distribution, which traditional in vitro models lack. This enables the creation of multilayered models that closely mimic human skin structure and improve nutrient and drug distribution. Applications of these microfluidic platforms include studying epidermal-dermal interactions, cell migration, mechanobiology, microbiome-immune responses, vascular biology, and wound healing. The review highlights the potential and challenges of these technologies and outlines future research directions.