Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 18, 2026
08:30
A Novel High-Throughput Ex Vivo Ovine Skin Wound Model for Testing Emerging Antibiotics
Published on: September 16, 2022
2.5K
Investigation of a Blue Light LED Device to Suppress Wound Pathogens Using a Collagen-Based Synthetic Skin Model
Siyam Subair1, Natasha Singh2, Pratibha Sharma3
1School of Engineering Technology and Applied Sciences (SETAS), Centennial College; msubair@centennialcollege.ca.
Journal of Visualized Experiments : Jove
|March 16, 2026
Summary
Blue light (BL) phototherapy shows significant antimicrobial effects against wound pathogens using a synthetic skin model. This non-invasive treatment effectively reduces bacteria and fungi without damaging skin, offering a promising alternative to conventional methods.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Photomedicine
- Antimicrobial Research
Background:
- Conventional wound care faces challenges from antimicrobial resistance and cytotoxic agents.
- Phototherapy using blue light (BL) presents a non-invasive, non-contact alternative.
- Developing effective antimicrobial strategies is crucial for managing complex wound infections.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the antimicrobial efficacy and safety of a 405 nm blue light-LED device.
- To test the device on a novel collagen-based synthetic skin model for realistic preclinical evaluation.
- To assess the potential of blue light for inhibiting pathogens within a simulated skin environment.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a collagen-based synthetic skin model mimicking human skin topography.
- Mapped light uniformity and measured irradiance (30.14 ± 0.78 mW/cm²).
- Assessed microbial log reduction against a spectrum of pathogens, including ESKAPE and Candida albicans, at varying fluences (up to 27 J/cm²).
- Conducted optical transmission and surface/embedded colony analyses.
- Performed infrared spectroscopy to evaluate collagen matrix integrity.
- Evaluated microbial deposition reduction in an aerosol chamber.
Main Results:
- Achieved significant fluence-dependent microbial log reduction (up to 3.5 at 27 J/cm²), exceeding previous studies.
- Demonstrated broad-spectrum activity against ESKAPE pathogens and Candida albicans.
- Observed differential susceptibility among species (Klebsiella pneumoniae most susceptible, Staphylococcus aureus most resistant).
- Found no significant difference in pathogen inhibition between surface and embedded colonies, suggesting potential for subsurface activity.
- Confirmed no detectable collagen degradation by blue light, unlike UV-C.
- Reduced microbial deposition on surfaces by over 95% in aerosol chamber tests.
Conclusions:
- The 405 nm blue light-LED device is highly effective against a broad range of wound pathogens.
- The collagen-based synthetic skin model is a viable platform for preclinical phototherapy evaluation, reducing reliance on animal models.
- Blue light phototherapy shows promise for managing polymicrobial wound infections and potentially mitigating nosocomial infections.
