Frequently asked questions
About TenSkin™
What is TenSkin™?
TenSkin™ is a human, full-thickness ex vivo skin model that preserves the architecture, biology, and physiology of real skin. It is not lab-grown or reconstructed — it is cultured at its natural physiological tension to maintain morphology and function for extended periods.
What is special about TenSkin™?
Mechanical tension is essential for skin homeostasis, driving cell growth, ECM production, and tissue remodeling in response to stress. Human skin, with its complex layered structure, plays vital roles in protection, sensation, immunity, endocrine activity, and temperature regulation. The TenSkin™ culture system uniquely maintains real human skin under physiological tension, preserving these critical characteristics in an ex vivo setting.
Which skin layers and structures are preserved in TenSkin™?
TenSkin™ retains the epidermis and the full dermis with the option to include the underlying subcutaneous adipose layer. As real human skin, it also preserves skin appendages such as hair follicles and sweat glands, while maintains immune cell populations to ensure biologically relevant responses.
How long does TenSkin™ remain viable, and how does it compare to other ex vivo models?
When maintained under to Ten Bio’s protocols, TenSkin™ remains viable and immune-competent for up to 14 days – typically longer than many other ex vivo skin models. This extended viability supports longer studies without compromising physiological function.
Where does the human skin for TenSkin™ come from and is it ethically sourced?
All TenSkin™ tissue is ethically sourced from consenting adult donors via surgical waste from accredited clinical facilities, in compliance with relevant ethical approvals and anonymity requirements.
What are the procedures that provide the skin tissue used to produce TenSkin™?
Most of the skin is sourced is the by-product of abdominoplasty procedures from our network of cosmetic surgery clinics. However, tissue from other anatomical sites can also be obtained. The Ten Bio team can advise on what is possible in an early consultation.
What Fitzpatrick skin types and donor age ranges are available?
A broad range of Fitzpatrick skin types (I–VI) and donor age groups are available. As some donor types and age groups are less frequently sourced, please contact Ten Bio for current availability and estimated wait times.
Is TenSkin™ animal-free?
Yes — TenSkin™ and its culture media contains no animal-derived components and offers a 100% human-relevant alternative to animal testing.
How is TenSkin™ made?
TenSkin™ is prepared from ethically sourced human skin and mounted in a custom culture frame that restores and maintains natural physiological tension. This preserves tissue architecture and function for extended use.
Applications & capabilities
What types of studies is TenSkin™ suitable for?
TenSkin™ supports a wide range of applications, including drug delivery, cosmetics and personal care testing, wound healing, regenerative medicine, microbiome research, infectious disease studies, inflammatory skin disorders, photobiology, pollution studies, and device evaluation (e.g., microneedles). Our team can advise on suitability for your specific protocol.
What sizes are the TenSkin™ model available in?
- TS-18 – 18 mm diameter (full-thickness skin)
- TS-25 – 25 mm diameter (full-thickness skin)
- TS-40 – 40 mm diameter (full-thickness skin)
- TSA-18 – 18 mm diameter (full-thickness skin with ~ 8mm of attached subcutaneous adipose tissue)
- TS-18-W – 18 mm diameter (full-thickness skin with either laser or biopsy wound)
Ordering & delivery
How do I order TenSkin™?
TenSkin™ is ordered directly by email (info@ten-bio.com). Please contact the Ten Bio team to discuss your study requirements, confirm donor availability and estimated delivery timelines, and to receive pricing.
What delivery options are available?
TenSkin™ is shipped fresh is a solid media under temperature-controlled conditions via priority courier. Both domestic and international delivery are available for approved destinations.
Do you supply both products and services?
Yes — TenSkin™ can be supplied for in-house use, or we can run studies for you in our laboratory as a bespoke full-service offering. Visit our research services page to find out more about our services.
Handling & use
How do I use TenSkin™?
Detailed step-by-step protocols are provided with every order, including preparation, maintenance, and (if required) wounding procedures. Our team can provide technical support as needed.
How do I store TenSkin™?
TenSkin™ is supplied fresh and must be transferred to the supplied culture medium (RM-001) immediately upon receipt. It should be kept in a humidified tissue culture incubator (37°C, 5% CO₂) as per the maintenance protocol. TenSkin™ is not suitable for freezing.
How should I prepare to receive TenSkin™?
You will need a biosafety cabinet, tissue culture incubator, and culture dishes. TenSkin™ is supplied with sterile tools and culture medium. Culture dishes should be sterile 60mm x 15mm non treated cell culture (Perti) dishes and we recommend variants with a grip ring for easy manipulation. Shipments are scheduled in advance and tracking details are provided so that your team can be ready to follow the receiving protocol immediately upon arrival.
How do I dispose of TenSkin™ at the end of the experiments? Are there any specific requirements in its disposal?
When the study is complete, TenSkin™ (remaining tissue and culture frame) should be disposed of as biohazard waste.