Laser scanning microscopy approach for semiquantitation of in vitro dermal particle penetration

Skin penetration of nanoparticles is a recent research area in focus for the aim of development of topical nanoparticulate delivery systems as well as for health risk analysis. So far, monitoring skin penetration of nanoparticles is mostly based on qualitative microscopical examination. Here, we describe an experimental approach for extracting semiquantitative data from multiphoton images of skin specimens treated with gold nanoparticles. This will aid in depicting the factors responsible for enhancing or limiting nanoparticle penetration through the skin barrier.