Science-backed innovations in consumer health and personal care

Our focus

By combining microbiome science with advanced preclinical modeling, we help brands to develop high-quality, personalized health solutions that are scientifically validated and market ready. Our expertise spans 4 key areas:

• Skin health
• Women's health
• Oral health
• Respiratory health

Each domain combines fundamental research, validated models, and practical applications, bridging the gap between our customers discovery led science and market-ready products.

Skin health: advanced preclinical models for next-generation products

TNO pioneers microbiome-driven solutions for skin health, creating industry-ready platforms for next-generation personal care and dermatological innovations. In collaboration with LUMC, Erasmus Medical Center, and private sector partners, we develop advanced preclinical skin models enriched with skin microbiome.

This cutting-edge approach enables precise evaluation of ingredients and formulations, unlocking new opportunities for atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, anti-aging solutions, and gut-skin axis applications. By integrating microbiome science with dermatology, we provide scientifically validated pathways for developing high-efficacy products.

Our partnerships with LACDR, LUMC, and Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) support the entire product development pipeline – from target identification to clinical validation.

Women's health: pioneering solutions for underserved markets

Women's health represents a significant market opportunity with substantial unmet needs. TNO leads innovation in consumer health and personal care by developing next-generation solutions tailored to women's unique requirements. In collaboration with public and private partners, we characterized the vulvar microbiome, providing groundbreaking insights for probiotic development, personal care products, and therapeutic applications.

Our expertise in isolating and characterizing commensal bacterial strains enables targeted probiotic solutions for vaginal health. Through partnerships with public and private partners, we pioneer in development of host-microbe co-culture models, allowing testing and optimization of new formulations in femcare, intimate care, and therapeutic applications.

Read more about TNO’s research on women’s health.

Oral health: microbiome-based approaches for prevention and care

TNO has established a strong technological and scientific foundation for microbiome-based strategies to maintain oral health.

Our research approach combines microbiome modulation strategies, functional biofilm analysis, observational studies of oral ecosystems, and clinical interventions to evaluate product performance. We provide in vitro platform technologies for studying dental plaque, saliva and tongue biofilms, delivering comprehensive insights into oral microbial communities. In addition, we offer workflows for next-generation probiotics discovery, targeting innovative solutions for maintaining oral health.

To strengthen translational impact, we collaborate with the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam (ACTA) and the Mondzorgkunde program at Hogeschool Utrecht. These partnerships bridge fundamental research with clinical and applied perspectives. Through these collaborations, we identify strategies to optimize oral health, prevent oral diseases, and understand functional effects of novel ingredients like prebiotics and probiotics on the oral ecosystem.

Respiratory health: breakthrough platforms for host-microbiome research

In respiratory health, TNO in close collaboration with the Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) has developed innovative human respiratory tract models that integrate the microbiome, providing groundbreaking platforms for next-generation product development.

These models enable precise evaluation of how products interact with the respiratory system under real-world conditions, offering unparalleled insights for personal care, OTC medications, and respiratory health solutions.

Our strong collaborations within the P4O2 network, LUMC, Utrecht Medical Centre, and RIVM resulted in 5 high-impact publications and 2 PhD theses on the respiratory microbiome's role in infection vulnerability. We collaborate with public and private partners on developing translational models of the respiratory tract and analyze the microbiome in clinical studies.

Industry partners leverage our advanced systems to accelerate R&D pipelines, optimize product efficacy, and gain competitive advantages in preventative and therapeutic respiratory care. Our research addresses critical challenges in respiratory resilience, chronic lung diseases, allergies, and microbiome modulation strategies.

Integrated approach

What sets TNO apart is our integrated approach combining microbiome science, advanced bioinformatics, and industry collaboration. We don't just conduct research – we provide complete support from target identification through clinical validation. Our multidisciplinary teams include specialists in microbiology, tissue modeling, bioinformatics, and business development, ensuring seamless translation of scientific insights into market-ready solutions.

Our advanced methodologies include preclinical models that closely mimic human physiology, high-resolution microbiome characterization, and data analytics platforms that reveal host-microbiome interactions. This comprehensive approach enables rapid ingredient screening, formulation optimization, and efficacy validation for consumer health applications.

Partnering with TNO: accelerate your innovation pipeline

By collaborating with industry leaders and top academic institutions, we develop scientifically validated solutions that transform the future of personal care. TNO collaborates with companies across the consumer healthcare sector, research organizations, institutes, universities, clinics, and hospitals. Whether you're developing new ingredients, optimizing formulations, or seeking detailed insights in modes of action, our expertise accelerates your innovation timeline while reducing development risks.

We currently work with international industry leaders, consumer health brands, and biotechnology firms to advance next-generation microbiome-based solutions. Our collaborative approach ensures projects align with commercial objectives while maintaining the highest scientific standards.