This project aims to develop non-invasive or minimally invasive monitoring of endogeneous biomarkers targeting inflammatory skin disorders like contact allergy and cancer.

The main goal for this specific project is to further explore and develop the potential of using semisolid to ‘solid’ bicontinuous cubic liquid crystals as matrices for topical sampling of low molecular weight biomarkers (< 500 Da) that can diffuse through skin. The large interfacial area, comprised by these specific liquid crystals, separating their interconnected polar and apolar domains allow them to accommodate various types of solutes of hydrophilic, amphiphilic, or lipophilic nature.