Marie-Letizia Campanari
Head of Biology and Efficacy Evaluation -Naemos
Holding an international PhD in Neuroscience, Marie-Letizia Campanari has over ten years of experience in public research within multidisciplinary teams, focusing on the biological mechanisms underlying Alzheimer’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Beyond her experimental work, she spent several years co-supervising PhD students, developing strong skills in team leadership and scientific project management.
Building on her expertise in cellular and molecular biology, she transitioned to preclinical pharmaceutical research, with a particular interest in studying molecules targeting Alzheimer’s disease. After earning a Master’s in Management, she moved into the cosmetics sector, where she now leverages her knowledge and 360-degree vision of R&D projectsto decipher skin biological mechanisms and contribute to the scientific concept development of high-value innovative active ingredients.
Presentation
Targeting Mechanosensitive Channels: Can Touch be ameliorated in Aging Skin?
Touch is a fundamental biological function that enables cells to convert mechanical stimuli into biochemical signals through mechanotransduction. In the skin, this mechanotransduction relies on the activation of mechanosensitive ion channels.
Our data show that aged skin cells display altered expression of key mechanotransduction markers, including PIEZO, TRPA1, TRPV4, ASIC2 and ASIC3, TRAAK, and TREK1 and TREK2. Importantly, a targeted intervention enables full restoration of the expression of these channels, indicating that the decline in mechanosensation is not irreversible but biologically modulable.
Mechanotransduction plays a trophic role in skin biology by regulating keratinocyte proliferation, growth factor secretion, extracellular matrix organization, and neurotrophic support. Reactivating mechanosensitive channels could therefore restore not only sensory perception, but also the structural and functional vitality of the skin. In addition, emerging data suggest that sustained mechanosensory stimulation contributes to biological and psychosocial health, positioning touch as a potential integrator of cutaneous and systemic longevity.
We propose positioning touch as a lever for skin longevity. By restoring the responsiveness of mechanosensitive ion channels, it may be possible to improve epidermal renewal, support dermal architecture, strengthen neuro-cutaneous communication, and preserve the adaptive capacity of ageing skin. Targeting these channels thus represents an innovative strategy: moving beyond structural anti-ageing to reactivate sensory vitality and, potentially, promote skin health and social longevity.
Næmos is a young phyto-biotechnology company founded in 2024 that connects skin science with precision plant cultivation to reinvent the cosmetic active ingredients of tomorrow. By finely controlling cultivation conditions and activating plants’ natural defense mechanisms through elicitation, we develop high-performance, sustainable, and fully controlled active ingredients.
Passionate and enthusiastic, our team masters the entire value chain, from precision vertical farming, through eco-extraction, to the biological valorization of cosmetic actives.
Our approach redefines performance in cosmetics, combining enhanced efficacy, traceability, and reduced environmental impact.