Skin health in the modern world: Investigating the impact of environmental plastic pollutants on the skin barrier, skin immunity and allergic sensitization
Grantee: Jessica Strid, Professor, Imperial College London, United Kingdom
Amount: DKK 3,999,159
Grant category: Research Grants
Year: 2026
Geography: United Kingdom
Genetics alone cannot account for the alarming increase in atopic dermatitis (AD) and allergic disease over the last few decades. Thus, we must look to understand the impact of environmental factors in the development of skin disease and allergy. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs), as well as chemical plasticizers, have become ubiquitous environmental contaminants. Albeit epidemiological data suggests a link between exposure to such plastic pollutants and development of AD and allergy, it remains unknown how they may impact on skin health and the immune system as a whole. This discovery study will define how MNPs and plasticizers affect skin immunity and characterise mechanism(s) whereby they regulate initiation of allergic disease. Results from this project will delineate how plastic pollutants may alter skin immunology and affect specific sensitisation pathways, thus elucidating new immune-therapeutic targets against skin barrier disruption, skin inflammation and allergy.