Professor Mark Birch-Machin, chief scientific officer at Skin Life Analytics, is a recognised world leader in the field of molecular dermatology. His group at Newcastle University has pioneered research into the mitochondria’s role in skin ageing since 1995. For the last fifteen years, he has been developing the technology behind the Skin Life Analytics test and its application in improving skin health.
Mitochondria are the batteries in our cells, and produce bioenergy in the form of ATP. As we age they become inefficient, producing less bioenergy and showing an increase in DNA damage, as well as an increase in oxidative stress. Eventually, this downward trend leads to skin ageing, as described by the mitochondrial theory of ageing as bioenergy declines and oxidative stress increases, leading to fatigued ageing skin.
The idea of using mitochondria as a skin biomarker came to me as an epiphany moment during my time as a researcher in mitochondrial disease in one of the world’s expert laboratories in a well-known…
