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Within minutes, the method can map where a compound settles after application, producing a detailed snapshot without the need for labels or dyes.
By Shula Rosen
Scientists at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem say a new laboratory technique could dramatically change how topical medications are evaluated, offering drug developers a faster and far more precise way to see how treatments spread through human skin.
Research teams working with dermatological drugs typically spend days tracking how active compounds move through the epidermis and dermis, relying on fluorescent tagging and other indirect methods.
The process is slow, labor-intensive, and often leaves uncertainty about whether a cream, serum, or transdermal patch actually reaches the layer it is designed to target.
The group led by Dr. Katy Margulis at the university’s School of Pharmacy has introduced a different approach. Their system combines mass spectrometry imaging with automated computational tools that separate skin samples into clearly defined layers.
Within minutes, the method can map where a compound settles after application, producing a detailed snapshot without the need for labels or dyes.
“This gives us a direct look at how a drug behaves once it touches the skin,” Dr. Margulis told the Jerusalem Post. She explained that the rapid analysis makes it possible to refine formulations more quickly, evaluate absorption patterns in near-real time, and determine whether a treatment is reaching its intended depth. “It allows developers to adjust delivery systems with much greater accuracy,” she said.
To test the method, the researchers applied three nanoscale delivery systems designed to carry terbinafine—an antifungal medication—into different layers of the skin.
They reported clear distinctions in how deeply each system penetrated and how the drug dispersed through both human and animal tissue. The data revealed variations in permeation depth and distribution that would have been difficult to observe with conventional techniques.
While the initial trials focused on antifungal treatment, the team said the same imaging strategy can help evaluate corticosteroids, retinoids, and other topical medications that require precise dosing. It may also strengthen efforts in personalized medicine, particularly for patients whose skin conditions demand tailored drug delivery.
“This tool supports safer and more efficient testing,” Dr. Margulis said. She added that developers could use the technique to accelerate product refinement, improve safety assessments, and shorten the timeline for bringing new therapies to patients.
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