SkinmetaP

After we shower, our skin’s ecosystem—the holobiont of human and microbial components—undergoes short-term functional shifts. These changes are part of normal physiology, yet we still know little about how barrier integrity, antimicrobial defense, and host–microbe interactions respond across different skin sites and over time. By directly measuring proteins (the molecules that execute biological function), we can capture these short-term dynamics and build a foundation for precision dermatology. 

Why can classical skin microbiome surveys not reveal skin function? Most current approaches focus on DNA to identify “who is there,” but they do not show “what they are doing.” Microbial communities often display functional redundancy, and clinically relevant biology is ultimately executed at the protein level. This leaves key host–microbiome programs affecting skin health largely unknown. 

The SkinmetaP study aims to close this gap by using an ultra-sensitive, non-invasive metaproteomics workflow to quantify human and microbial proteins from simple skin swabs or tape strips. Preliminary data show feasibility to detect host defense proteins, barrier-associated proteins, antimicrobial peptides, and microbial pathways from low-biomass skin samples. This approach enables direct functional profiling of the skin holobiont. 

 Participation spans up to 48 hours after a standardized shower and uses non-invasive sampling.

• Informed Consent and Ethics: The study has ethical approval from the University’s Ethical Commission (Reference number: 01494). Participants will be informed and consent prior to sampling.
• Non-invasive Sampling: Skin swabs and/or adhesive tape strips are used to collect samples from the skin surface. Each sampling involves brief contact (about one minute per swab or tape in preliminary testing).
• Sampling Schedule: One set of samples is collected before the shower, followed by collections approximately 1, 8, 24, 36, and 48 hours after the shower.
• Body Sites: Samples are collected from ecologically distinct sites—sebaceous (forehead/cheeks), dry (forearm), and occluded (dorsal foot)—to compare site-specific functional profiles.
• Metaproteomics and Data Analysis: Samples are analyzed with high-resolution LC-MS-based metaproteomics to quantify human and microbial proteins. Analyses run within the Center of Excellence for Metaproteomics (University of Vienna) using established pipelines and AI-assisted data analysis on high-performance infrastructure. 

Your participation will help move skin microbiome research beyond taxonomic description to direct functional measurement of host–microbe interaction networks. The study will generate a high-value pilot dataset to support future larger studies in skin barrier biology, inflammatory skin disease, and personalized host–microbiome monitoring. 

Benefits of Participating:

By contributing samples, you will be among the first people to know their skin functional fingerprint. Moreover, you will support the creation of the first pilot Human Skin Holobiont Atlas and the development of a practical framework for non-invasive skin metaproteomics—key steps toward precision dermatology. You'll have full control over your data, and we have implemented an anonymization method that makes it impossible to link your biological data with your identity. 

Healthy adults who can complete repeated non-invasive skin sampling over 48 hours following a standardized shower procedure. Final eligibility and participation details will be confirmed by the study team. 

Do you want to participate? 

If you are interested, hurry up and send us an email with the subject: Interested in participating in the SkinMetaP study, to coe.metaproteomics.pharmazie(at)univie.ac.at.

• Study Title: SkinmetaP — Non-invasive Skin Metaproteomics for Precision Dermatology
• Study Name: SkinmetaP
• Lead Researcher: Lukas Uhrik, PhD, Center of Excellence for Metaproteomics, University of Vienna
                                 Dr. David Gómez Varela, Center of Excellence for Metaproteomics, University of Vienna
• Funding: Postdoctoral Researcher Seed Grant Program 2026, Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna (https://lifesciences.univie.ac.at/news- events/newsordner/einzelansicht/news/faculty-post-doc-seed-grants-2026-winners-announced/)
• Duration of Participation: Up to 48 hours post-shower with multiple sampling time points

• Participants: Approximately 10 adult volunteers 

  Clinical trial registration details will be added here once available.