OneSkin's MolClock algorithm to calculate skin age available for free use by other researchers

15-Jul-2020

Key points from article :

Algorithm published in scientific journal Clinical Epigenetics. Devised by OneSkin co-founder and Head of Bioinformatics Mariana Boroni, PhD. Could transform measurement of efficacy of skin products and interventions from a molecular level. Algorithm uses machine learning to detect important epigenetic alterations that occur in our skin as we age. Trained on over 500 human skin samples and over 2,000 DNA methylation (DNAm) markers Exogenous stimuli (disease, environment, lifestyle) have greater influence than genetics over methylation pattern. Enables prospecting/validating of new compounds by observing reduction in skin DNAm age. As we age, a gene that produces a protein important for collagen production, SEC31, becomes hypermethylated. Reduction in collagen in our skin is one reason why our skin tends to be less firm when we get older. Horvath clock failed to accurately calculate the chronological age of cultured fibroblasts and epithelial cells. Application programming interface (API) available.