The Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology (CCP)

The Center of Experimental and Applied Cutaneous Physiology (CCP) was founded in 2001 as an international research center at the Department of Dermatology, Venereology and Allergology of the Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin.
Under the direction of Prof. Dr. Martina Meinke, an interdisciplinary research team consisting of natural scientists (e.g. physics, chemistry, biology, pharmacy), physicians and technicians works on topics of applied and basic research in the field of skin physiology. The team includes several PhD, Master and Bachelor students working on different research topics.
The CCP cooperates with research institutions and companies in Europe, the United States, Asia and South America. Therefore, international guests are usually involved in the research work.
A major focus of the Skin Physiology research area is the development of non-invasive complex imaging and spectroscopic techniques for skin analysis. These sophisticated methods are used, among other things, to study skin diseases, the penetration of active substances and also pollutants into the skin. Influencing factors, such as solar radiation, pollution or new therapeutic approaches, such as cold physical plasma or remote UVC radiation for wound healing and antisepsis of the skin, are also examined for positive and negative effects and the mechanisms of action are analyzed. Diagnostic methods can also be used to investigate the effect of cosmetic products and food supplements on the skin.
The work of the CCP is supported and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, the German Research Foundation, state funds and the European Union, among others. In addition, the Center conducts contract research in collaboration with industry. This includes studies on skin cells, reconstructed skin models, excised skin, but also clinical studies on healthy volunteers and patients.