05.25.11
Procter & Gamble today unveiled its pioneering efforts in the breakthrough field of "Omics" that it hopes will solve the molecular puzzles of beauty. This approach brings together genomics, proteomics and metabolomics to map the entire biological system, illuminating new pathways to better skin and hair science for years to come, according to P&G.
New advances in genome sequencing and other Omics tools are enabling biologists to shift their attention from studying individual parts within a particular biological system to mapping the entire system. From the genome to the proteome to the metabolome—together representing the total approach of systems biology.
New advances in genome sequencing and other Omics tools are enabling biologists to shift their attention from studying individual parts within a particular biological system to mapping the entire system. From the genome to the proteome to the metabolome—together representing the total approach of systems biology.
Human biology includes more than 20,000 genes, as many as a million proteins and thousands of metabolites underlying fundamental skin and hair processes. Now, scientists have the tools to piece this puzzle together, according to P&G. Where once scientists could only measure one gene or protein at a time, the latest Omics tools now enable researchers to monitor 9.4 million gene changes and hundreds of protein expression changes or metabolites in a single experiment with tools like:
- Genomics the study of gene activity or 'expression' and describes how genes function, interact with one another and respond to environmental stimuli;
- Proteomics which studies proteins and the way they change as a result of gene activity;
- Metabolomics which studies how changes in genes and proteins impact biochemical processes within the cell.
"The Omics revolution significantly changes the way we analyze, think about and experience beauty and grooming. It changes the rules of the game and gives us an unrivalled insight into the complete map of our biological processes, opening up possibilities that will help us solve the molecular puzzles of beauty and grooming science," said Dr Jay Tiesman, principal scientist, global biotechnology division, P&G.
Joining Dr. Tiesman are other leading scientists on the team including Dr. Rosemarie Osborne, Dr. John Oblong and Dr. Ray Grant, who have been the pioneers behind the Omics revolution at P&G for over 10 years.
P&G Beauty & Grooming is using this novel application of Omics tools to drive an advanced and holistic understanding of beauty and grooming needs for consumers around the world: men and women, and head to toe – face, body, hair and scalp. P&G recently partnered with the Institute for Systems Biology to bring deeper insights into skin biology, targeting ageing issues as one of its key focus areas. The goal is to develop models of the global molecular changes that occur in skin under different conditions.
Beyond collaborations with external institutions, P&G has combined Omics with advanced human skin cell models to identify solutions to help older skin appear more like younger skin. It has also provided new evidence on the significant differences between male and female skin in the area of UV sensitivity.
Researchers are leveraging proteomic studies to further the understanding of the impact of dandruff and the effect of anti-dandruff actives – a critical step in scalp care given that dandruff affects half of the world's population. Omics tools are also reshaping the area of hair science as P&G scientists are able to evaluate and fingerprint hair damage at the molecular level, pointing us to new breakthroughs and formulations in hair care.
Researchers are leveraging proteomic studies to further the understanding of the impact of dandruff and the effect of anti-dandruff actives – a critical step in scalp care given that dandruff affects half of the world's population. Omics tools are also reshaping the area of hair science as P&G scientists are able to evaluate and fingerprint hair damage at the molecular level, pointing us to new breakthroughs and formulations in hair care.
"Omics science is already helping us resolve some of the most complex and intriguing puzzles that still exist in beauty and grooming,"said Dr. Jim Thompson, associate director, biotechnology and systems biology, P&G Beauty. "Each puzzle we solve is not only expanding what we know but opening up new and intriguing future possibilities—not only for us as research scientists but also for the skin and hair products we all use everyday."