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Engineered living materials for the future of wearables
Reimagining what materials can do, inspired by the intelligence of human skin.
NextSkins is an EU-funded research project developing a new generation of Engineered Living Materials (ELMs).
Just as skin protects, heals, and adapts, our goal is to create wearable materials that are dynamic, regenerative, and responsive to their environment.
By combining synthetic biology, advanced materials science, and design research, we are exploring how living systems can transform healthcare, sustainability, and daily life.
From therapeutic textiles that support skin recovery to adaptive fabrics that interact with the body, our work opens possibilities for a healthier and more resilient future.
Living Innovation
Harnessing microbes and cellular systems to create materials with self-healing and adaptive properties.
Our Approach
Design for People
Involving end-users and designers to ensure real-world relevance and acceptance.
Collaborative Science
Bringing together universities, research institutes, and industry across Europe.
Sustainable Futures
Developing alternatives that align with circularity and environmental responsibility.
“We collaborate with life in the interest of planet and society”
Who we are
NextSkins is a consortium of scientists, designers, and innovators across Europe. Together, we are advancing the field of Engineered Living Materials while shaping the standards, ethics, and applications that will guide their use.
Looking Ahead
Our prototypes and research are not only scientific milestones but also stepping stones toward practical applications:
Healthcare
Wearable therapeutics for skin repair and chronic conditions.
Everyday use
Materials that breathe, adapt, and protect.
Sustainability
Regenerative textiles that reduce waste and reliance on non-renewable resources.
Join us as we explore the frontier where biology meets design—and imagine a future where the materials closest to us are as alive, adaptable, and protective as our own skin.
Two pathways for living materials: Therapeutic and Regenerative
In our research, we explore two exciting directions for living materials: Living Therapeutic Materials (LTM) and Living Regenerative Materials (LRM).
Together, these approaches open new possibilities for healthcare solutions that go beyond traditional materials.
Living Therapeutic Material (LTM)
Living Therapeutic Materials are designed to actively support health by combining biology with technology. They don’t just protect or cover, but can deliver therapeutic effects — for example, a smart bandage that releases healing agents or an implant that helps fight disease.
Living Regenerative Material (LRM)
Living Regenerative Materials focus on renewal and repair. These materials are able to restore themselves or stimulate the body to regenerate tissue, much like natural healing processes. Instead of only treating a problem, they aim to rebuild what was lost or damaged.
Main Work Packages
WP 1: Genetic Engineering
We are using the latest biotechnology to teach microbes like bacteria and yeast to grow and shape new smart materials. These materials can respond to their environment and repair or adapt themselves, opening the door to a whole new generation of sustainable, living products.
WP 2: Biomoleculair Design
We will use proteins inspired by nature, like those from fungi and spider silk, to give our living materials special qualities such as water resistance and strength. These proteins are made directly inside the materials by the microbes we engineer.
WP 3: Material fabrication and Characterisation
The Living Therapeutic Material (LTM) and Living Regenerative Material (LRM) are created in layers, each designed with a specific role such as healing, protection, strength, or self-repair. We will carefully study and improve their structure, performance, and sustainability to make these materials as effective as possible.
WP 4: Designing with Living Materials
In this work, we will focus on biodesign and the social impact of our NextSkins materials. We will create prototypes, explore the user experience, and develop tools to guide the design of Living Therapeutic and Living Regenerative Materials.
Background publications
Our lead team has authored multiple background publications addressing a diverse range of topics.
Dr. Marie-Eve Aubin-Tam
Prof. Markus Linder
Prof. Tom Ellis
Prof. Dr. Elvin Karana
NextSkins publications
Explore the publications produced by NextSkins in the course of its research.
SubtiToolKit
Surfacing livingness
Leveraging properties
Living artefacts
We thank EIC for funding our research
News
Here’s where we’ll keep you updated on our latest developments, breakthroughs, and behind-the-scenes insights. We’ve just published our first article—and there’s more to come. Stay tuned as we continue to share what we’re working on, the progress we’re making, and the ideas driving the future of sustainable skin-inspired materials.
