Course Outline
INTRODUCTION – an introduction to microbiology and the various types of microorganisms that will be discussed in the context of the skin microbiome.
- Cellular biological entities vs. acellular biological entities
- Three (3) domains of cellular life
- Putting into context: pathogenic microbes vs. commensal microbes
- Microbes frequently associated with the skin – not just bacteria, though they contribute
- Classical and modern techniques to investigate microorganisms
HUMAN MICROBIOME – an introduction of the concept of the human microbiome and the many discoveries that have been made since the inception of the Human Microbiome Project, including:
- Gut microbiome
- Brain microbiome
- Skin microbiome
- Antibiotic resistance
- Bacteriophage therapy
SKIN MICROBIOME – a deeper dive into what is currently known about the skin microbiome as regards resident organisms – types, species, aberrations/perturbations
- Bacteria – the familiar culprits
- Cutibacterium acnes, Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Micrococcus luteus, Corynebacterium sp. – to name a few
- Other microbe types.
- Microscopic fungi
- Pathogenic protozoa
- Viruses—including “skin virome”, an expansive new field of study involving viruses that infect our skin cells, bacterial cells, fungal cells, etc.)
- Characterization of the skin microbiome community
- Techniques for the collection, identification and characterization of microbes resident on the skin
- Metagenomics – its impact and prospects
- Current products making microbiome claims
- Products with “microbiome friendly” labels
FUTURE OF SKIN MICROBIOME RESEARCH AND SKIN HEALTH
- Will these endeavors lead to lasting changes in how we approach cosmetic care?
- How might regulatory agencies view this type of research?
- Most importantly: How might the consumer respond to this type of research and the resulting products with their microbiome claims