Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

how can i measure ROS? And what can i use to test if sunscreen increases ROS in the skin without using a human?

Hi mariacruzrios,

Reactive oxygen species are not one chemical. It is a term that includes many oxygen-bearing free radicals, like peroxide ions and the hydroxide radical. Measuring them is a complicated process. The following article is a good overview of measuring ROS:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1 ... 705776/pdf

As far as non-human modes for testing sunscreen's effects on ROS levels, the life science experts will probably have better ideas than those of us on the physical science side. I will ask to have your topic moved to that forum so that hopefully someone with more of a life science background can help you.

What can I use to test ROS and damages in the skin without using a human?

Hi there!

One thing to remember especially in a project such as yours is that not every test that applies to living creatures must be done in a living creature. You should look up "in vitro" tests for your project (meaning on cell cultures that aren't inside a body). It may be difficult to obtain living cells however, so be mindful of that; perhaps contacting local labs (in universities) or commercial suppliers (e.g. Carolina Biological) would help. Another idea could me using scholar.google.com to find papers that have tested similar things using in vitro tests - those might be inspiration for you. Other than that - very intriguing idea, and good luck! Please post back if you have any questions!

Hello there,

I'm not sure if this is a good in vitro experimental model for what you want to test, but there is an immortalized human skin cell line called HaCaT cells. Here is a brief description of them on wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HaCaT. I would try to contact any local labs that is doing work on skin and ask them whether HaCaT cells (or any other cell line or even animal model) is a good experimental model to test what you want to test with ROS. In addition, they may even provide some cells and such for you and help you with your experiments! HaCaT cells can be purchased from vendors, but cell lines tend to be pretty expensive so it would be great if you were able to get into contact with a lab that could provide you with some.

Let us know if you have anymore questions!

Best,
Connie

Hi maricruzrios,

You have a very interesting question, but it will require the resources of a research lab to perform the type of experiment you are proposing.

You could potentially measure ROS in cultured cells. For your particular question, you would want to culture epithelial cells (skin cells). Again, to do cell culture, you will need a mentor!

Here is information about ROS: http://www.biotek.com/resources/article ... ecies.html

Here is a scientific article that discusses one way to measure ROS: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3165859/
I recommend doing your own Internet search to find more articles.

Finally, here is some information about how to find a mentor: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... tors.shtml

Once you have looked at these resources, please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Best,
Heather