Frequently Asked Questions

Genoskin has developed an immunocompetent ex vivo human skin model, viable and functional for up to 7 days, which is NativeSkin^®. This technology enables our partners to test their products and formulations on real human skin models from consent donors. Our NativeSkin^® models can be used either as part of services (meaning we perform the experiment in-house), or we can ship our models directly to your site.

NativeSkin access^® is the online platform that enables customers to purchase our models online. You can find all the information about the pricing, sizes, and range of models available.

The thickness of the skin is around 4-5mm, including the epidermis and dermis.

The maximum number of models we can produce on one single donor depends on the size of models you need:

• Approximately 48 models for 8mm and 11mm diameter models
• Approximately 24 models for 20mm diameter models

These numbers may vary, depending on the size and quality of the sample we receive to produce the models, but 24/48 is generally possible.

We propose three different sizes of skin models: 8mm, 11mm, and 20mm in diameter.

Genoskin is committed to facilitating your research, if you need a specific model that is not available on our e-shop, please contact us. Our expert team will be happy to help you with your request.

Our NativeSkin access^® 11mm and 20mm are designed for topical applications.
The working surface is 0.5 cm² for the 11mm (NSA11) and 1.76 cm² for the 20mm (NSA20).

All biopsies in one plate belong to the same donor. If you order skin models from different donors, they will either be packaged in different plates or different boxes and shipments.

We produce the skin models within 24 hours following the surgery. The models are then shipped on the same day as the production with a delivery time ranging from overnight (most locations) to 72 hours (Asia-Pacific regions).

We recommend that NativeSkin^® models be cultured in an incubator at 37°C, 5% CO₂, and 95% humidity. The culture media should be changed daily.

Our NativeSkin^® models are produced from real human skin and are viable/functional for 7 days from the production date. There is no storage condition since the skin models need to be used as soon as possible upon delivery. However, you will need to have them in an optimal condition that is in an incubator (37 °C, 5 % CO₂, 95 % humidity) during the culture.

The models can be cultured for 7 days from the production date. Most times, the production date is the same as the shipping date. If not, you will be informed in advance and we will ask you if this is suitable for you.

All NativeSkin access^® kits contain the required volume of chemically defined culture medium. There is no need to purchase it separately. Please note that our medium does not contain phenol red, human serum, hydrocortisone or growth factors. The culture medium can be customized (e.g. remove antibiotics) when ordering a NativeSkin access^® Custom model.

The culture medium is included in the price of the models and does not need to be purchased separately. We provide the volume needed to cultivate the models for 7 days.

Yes, first-time buyers must create an account before purchasing NativeSkin models on our e-shop.

If you are located in the U.S. and belong to a tax-exempt organization, you’ll need to provide proof of tax exemption during sign-up. Our team will review your documentation and approve your account before you can log in.

Once logged in, you can place your order. A representative will then reach out to collect specific billing details. After providing this information, you’re all set! We will schedule your model production, and you won’t need to repeat this step for future orders.

We ask to receive the order at least 2 weeks before the preferred delivery date, to prepare and organize the production in the best conditions.

There is no minimum order quantity for NativeSkin^® models.

Our pricing is very competitive compared to other skin models available on the market, thus, our NativeSkin access^® offering is not compatible with discounts.

While ordering, you will be able to select a preferred week of delivery. The Genoskin production team works hard to respect your selection. However, productions may be rescheduled to a later week depending on surgery schedules and sample quality.

Once your models are produced, they are shipped on the same day, overnight through airfreight. For Asia-Pacific countries, the delivery can take up to 72 hours. We ship our products globally.

NativeSkin models are shipped at room temperature in a specially designed, thermally insulated, and shock-resistant box via express airfreight.

When placing your order, you can choose to have us handle the entire shipping process or use your own carrier. If you opt for your own carrier, you’ll need to provide the carrier’s name (UPS, DHL, or FedEx) and your account number. We’ll take care of the rest—coordinating the shipment, notifying you when your models are on their way, and providing a tracking number. Additionally, we supply all necessary documentation and support for customs clearance if required.

Our NativeSkin models are shipped in a specially designed, thermally insulated, and shock-resistant box to ensure safe delivery directly to your lab. There are no special handling requirements on your end—simply ensure the models are transferred from your delivery office to your lab as soon as possible upon arrival.

We confirm that all the ethics and legal requirements are in place on our side to cover you for the use of our models. Feel free to request the relevant documentation by contacting us.

We ship all the documentation in advance for you to share with your local facility and pre-clear the package at customs.

First, remove the culture medium from the well using a pipette, there is no need to move the skin model. Then, use a pipette to add the required volume of culture medium to each well. Check that no bubbles are present beneath the porous membrane of the insert when the culture medium is added. For more information, please refer to the NativeSkin User Manual and to the Unpacking Video.

Yes, especially our 8mm model (NSA08 and NSA08C) can be used for systemic administration by adding your compound directly to the culture medium.

Yes, you will need to sample the skin biopsy first, then you can proceed to various analyses. To learn how to sample the biopsy, please refer to the NativeSkin User Manual, we also offer validated protocols for paraffin embedding and immunofluorescence staining.

We only access skin from healthy donors. However, if you are interested in a psoriasis model, take a look at InflammaSkin^®, our model dedicated to psoriasis studies. InflammaSkin^® is only available for services.

We put together some validated protocols, you can download them here.

You can download the NativeSkin^® user manual here.

It is possible to order models from different donors. We ask you to place one order per donor, as we cannot guarantee to deliver all the donors at the same time, which depends on the surgery planning and skin availabilities. Of course, if we are able to deliver different donors on the same day with only one shipment, we won’t invoice the additional shipping fees. For information, two donors at the same time is feasible (not guaranteed), but more is complicated.

If your study requires a specific donor, you can order our custom models. While ordering our custom models, you will be able to choose the age range, gender, and phototype of the donor. You can also add additional comments about your criteria (e.g. no antibiotic in the medium, flexibility on criteria selection).

We mainly access skin from the abdominal region, but we can also access skin from the arms, thighs, and face (much smaller samples). You can add this request to your custom model order.

This cost of NativeSkin® depends on the size and if it is a custom model or not. You can find all our prices and even generate a quote directly through our e-shop.

The price indicated is always for one model.

A BSL-2 lab is required to handle NativeSkin^® human skin models.