Impact of Habitual E-vaping on the Skin Microbiome and Its Application in Forensic Microbiome Analysis in United Arab Emirates.
Creators: name: P.S, Muhammad Safar
name: Manaf, Jannath
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2024
Subjects: subject: Forensic sciences
subject: Clinical microbiology
subject: Microbiology
subject: FOS: Biological sciences

description: Research Proposal

Title: Impact of Habitual E-vaping on the Skin Microbiome and Its Application in Forensic Microbiome Analysis in United Arab Emirates.

Submitted by:



Muhammad SafarMSc Forensic Science Graduate, Amity University DubaiBSc Biotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala

Jannath A ManafMSc Forensic Science Graduate, Amity University DubaiBSc Biotechnology, Mahatma Gandhi University Kerala





Background and Rationale

Habitual e-vaping, which is on the rise in the  population, can have significant impacts on the skin microbiome. The skin microbiome, consisting of diverse microorganisms including bacteria, fungi, and viruses, plays a crucial role in maintaining skin health and overall immunity. Understanding how e-vaping affects this microbiome can provide insights not only into potential health consequences but also into novel forensic applications.

Forensic microbiome analysis is an emerging field that leverages the unique microbial signatures left by individuals to link them to crime scenes. Given that e-vaping can alter the skin microbiome, these changes could serve as distinctive biomarkers in forensic investigations.

Objectives



To investigate the impact of habitual e-vaping on the skin microbiome.

To identify specific microbial markers associated with e-vaping.

To assess the potential of using e-vaping-induced microbial changes in forensic microbiome analysis for linking individuals to crime scenes.


Impact of E-vaping on the Skin Microbiome



Chemical Exposure:



E-liquids: E-vaping exposes the skin to various chemicals present in e-liquids, such as nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerin, and flavoring agents. These substances can alter the skin's pH and moisture levels, creating an environment that disrupts the natural balance of the skin microbiome.

Aerosols: The aerosols produced by e-cigarettes contain fine particulate matter that can settle on the skin, potentially introducing new microbial communities or altering existing ones.


Microbial Imbalance:



Dysbiosis: The chemical exposure from e-vaping can lead to dysbiosis, an imbalance in the microbial community. This may result in a decrease in beneficial bacteria and an increase in pathogenic microbes, which can affect skin health and contribute to conditions like acne, dermatitis, and other skin infections.


Inflammatory Responses:



Immune System Activation: The skin's immune response to the chemicals in e-cigarette vapor can lead to inflammation, which further impacts the microbial community by creating an environment that favors certain microbes over others.



Forensic Microbiome Analysis



Microbial Fingerprinting:



Unique Microbial Signatures: The skin microbiome is unique to each individual, influenced by genetics, environment, lifestyle, and habits such as e-vaping. This uniqueness can be utilized in forensic analysis to identify individuals based on their microbial signatures left at crime scenes.

Identification of Vaping-Related Changes: Specific changes in the skin microbiome associated with e-vaping could serve as biomarkers. For example, the presence of certain microbial strains or the absence of others typically disrupted by vaping could help link an individual to a crime scene if these unique patterns are detected on objects or surfaces.


Microbial Transfer:



Skin Contact: When an individual touches surfaces or objects, they transfer their skin microbiome, including any alterations caused by e-vaping. Forensic scientists can analyze these microbial deposits to gather information about the person who left them.

Environmental Persistence: Studies have shown that microbial communities can persist on surfaces for extended periods, allowing forensic investigators to collect and analyze samples long after the initial contact.


Case Studies and Research:



Emerging Field: Forensic microbiome analysis is an emerging field, with ongoing research focused on understanding how lifestyle factors, including e-vaping, affect the skin microbiome. Specific markers or patterns associated with vaping can enhance the accuracy and reliability of microbial forensic evidence.



Methodology

Study Design

A cross-sectional study will be conducted involving two groups:



Habitual e-vapers.

Non-vapers (control group).


Sample Collection



Skin swabs will be collected from both groups.

Environmental samples will be taken from commonly touched surfaces.


Microbiome Analysis



DNA Extraction and Sequencing:



Extract DNA from the collected samples.

Perform 16S rRNA gene sequencing to identify bacterial communities.

Use ITS sequencing for fungal communities.


Data Analysis:



Analyze sequencing data to compare the skin microbiomes of e-vapers and non-vapers.

Identify microbial markers specifically associated with e-vaping.

Use statistical methods to determine significant differences in microbial composition.



Forensic Application



Microbial Fingerprinting:



Develop microbial fingerprints for individuals based on their skin microbiome.

Compare these fingerprints to microbial communities found on touched surfaces.


Validation:



Test the reliability of using e-vaping-induced microbial changes in linking individuals to crime scenes through controlled mock crime scenes.



Ethical Considerations



Obtain informed consent from all participants.

Ensure confidentiality and anonymization of personal data.

Adhere to ethical guidelines for human research.


Expected Outcomes



Characterization of the impact of e-vaping on the skin microbiome.

Identification of specific microbial markers linked to e-vaping.

Demonstration of the feasibility of using skin microbiome analysis in forensic investigations.


Significance

This study will provide valuable insights into how e-vaping affects the skin microbiome and pave the way for innovative forensic techniques. By identifying unique microbial markers associated with e-vaping, this research can enhance the accuracy and reliability of forensic microbiome analysis, contributing to more effective crime scene investigations.

Timeline






Task



Duration







Literature Review and Study Design



2 months





Participant Recruitment and Sampling



3 months





DNA Extraction and Sequencing



4 months





Data Analysis



3 months





Forensic Application Testing



3 months





Report Writing and Dissemination



2 months





Budget

A detailed budget will be provided upon request, covering costs for participant recruitment, sample collection, DNA extraction, sequencing, data analysis, and dissemination of findings.

References



Detailed references to relevant studies and literature will be included in the final proposal document.








Contact Information:



Muhammad Safar: muhammadsafarps@gmail.com 

Jannath A Manaf: jannathamanaf6@gmail.com