GeneSkin: A Novel mRNA Therapy for Skin and Hair Rejuvenation

The Problem 

More than 1.9 billion people worldwide suffer from some form of skin disease or cosmetic issue, including acne, eczema, scars, wrinkles, and hair loss. However, dermatological research has only brought limited therapeutic progress for skin rejuvenation, scar treatment, and hair loss in recent decades. While many of these conditions share a common root in the declining function of the skin’s stem cells and their progeny, current treatments, such as steroids for raised scars and minoxidil for androgenetic alopecia, still only reduce specific symptoms, and are limited in their applicability and therapeutic efficacy. As a result, significant unmet therapeutic challenges for skin-related conditions have to be solved to improve patients’ quality of life. 

Our Solution  

The GeneSkin team is developing breakthrough mRNA therapies that focus on restoring the function of basal skin stem cells by reducing inflammation and mitigating cellular stress, which is critical for skin rejuvenation and hair restoration. The team aims to deliver therapeutic mRNA to targeted skin cells via advanced microneedle technology to promote basal stem cell rejuvenation in skin and hair follicles, enhance fibroblast-mediated collagen synthesis, and facilitate hair growth. 

Project Journey 

The GeneSkin journey began in the group of Core Faculty member George Church, Ph.D., with the creation of the Human Skin Atlas, a comprehensive map of gene expression across all cell types that compose human skin as well as of altered gene expression in different skin conditions, using single-cell RNA sequencing methods. This research led to the identification of critical genes whose expression drives basal stem cell function and decreases in aging and disease-affected skin. Importantly, when replenished, these genes can delay or reverse features of skin aging and promote skin strength and healing. Church leads the Wyss’ Synthetic Biology Platform and is the Robert Winthrop Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School. 

The initial exploratory research was supported by the Wyss Institute’s Director’s Fund, and its success eventually led the team to be named to the 2024-2025 class of Wyss Validation Projects. 

With this additional support, the research team is now optimizing the delivery of synthetic mRNA molecules to specific target cells that drive skin rejuvenation and repair, and are aiming to demonstrate reduced scarring and accelerated skin healing in animal models. One of the therapeutic mRNA molecules encodes a key regulatory transcription factor that orchestrates the expression of a gene network involved in cellular reprogramming. It is a stress-responsive gene that enhances cellular resilience by mitigating stress-induced damage. Additionally, previous studies have shown that this gene plays a role in suppressing inflammatory responses. The GeneSkin team is collaborating with a team led by Core Faculty member Natalie Artzi, Ph.D., to deliver their therapeutic mRNA using innovative microneedle technology, which ensures that the therapy is both efficient, minimally invasive, and ultimately more accessible for patients. 

To best align their skin therapy with clinical practices and work toward its adoption by doctors and patients, the GeneSkin team is actively collaborating with dermatologists at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and industry leaders in therapeutics and cosmetics, including Colgate. In its efforts to commercialize their platform, the team is also supported by physician-scientist Emilia Javorsky, M.D., M.P.H., a member of the Wyss Mentor Hive with extensive experience in translating medical technologies.  

Preclinical studies utilizing microneedle-mediated delivery of therapeutic mRNAs were conducted as part of the Wyss Validation Project program. They demonstrate that GeneSkin’s novel treatments significantly reduce cellular aging, rejuvenate basal stem cells, enhance collagen production in human skin explants, and improve scar healing outcomes in animal models. This skin-targeted, non-invasive approach effectively addresses natural aging, scar formation, and hair growth. 

Toward Impact 

Proving initial success in technology development, the GeneSkin was renewed for a second year of Validation Project support. The team is now focusing on further de-risking its technology to ensure its safety and efficacy. They are also seeking startup investments and industry collaborations to transition this innovation from preclinical trials to a market-ready therapy. With its transformative potential, GeneSkin is poised to revitalize skin care, offering hope to millions searching for long-term solutions for rejuvenation, scar treatment, and hair restoration.