Scientists have figured out how to grow human collagen—a protein that keeps skin firm and healthy—using moss plants instead of getting it from animals. This is exciting because it’s more ethical, sustainable, and vegan-friendly. Researchers used special moss in large containers and created the exact same collagen that our bodies make naturally, complete with all the important chemical modifications. They were able to produce enough collagen to use in real skincare products. This breakthrough could mean better, more sustainable options for cosmetics and supplements in the future.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Can scientists grow human collagen using moss plants in large containers, and would it be the same quality as collagen from animals?
  • Who participated: This was a laboratory study using genetically modified moss plants (Physcomitrella). No human participants were involved—researchers tested the moss in containers of different sizes.
  • Key finding: Scientists successfully grew human collagen in moss that was chemically identical to natural human collagen, including all 23 important chemical modifications. They produced about 1 mg per liter of collagen in their largest containers after 11 days.
  • What it means for you: In the future, collagen in your skincare products and supplements might come from moss instead of animal sources. This could be better for the environment and for people who prefer vegan products. However, this is still early-stage research—these products aren’t available yet.

The Research Details

Researchers took human genes that code for collagen and inserted them into moss plants using a special technique. They created multiple moss lines and tested which ones produced the most collagen. Once they identified the best producers, they studied exactly what the moss was making using advanced laboratory techniques like mass spectrometry (a tool that identifies what chemicals are present). The researchers then took their best moss lines and grew them in increasingly larger containers—starting small and working up to 5-liter containers—to see if the process could work at an industrial scale. They carefully controlled growing conditions like light, CO2 levels, and pH (acidity) to optimize production.

This approach is different from traditional methods because it doesn’t require adding extra enzymes to the moss. The moss naturally performs all the chemical modifications needed to make the collagen work properly in the body. The researchers measured success at three levels: the genes in the moss cells, the messenger molecules that carry instructions from genes, and the actual protein produced.

This research matters because it shows that plants can be used as ‘factories’ to make complex human proteins. Traditional collagen comes from animal skin and bones, which raises ethical concerns and sustainability questions. By using moss, scientists can create the same high-quality product without these issues. The fact that the moss naturally adds all the necessary chemical modifications (called post-translational modifications) is particularly important—it means the collagen works exactly like human collagen, not a simplified version.

This study demonstrates high-quality research because: (1) The researchers used multiple independent moss lines to confirm their results weren’t a fluke; (2) They used mass spectrometry to verify the exact chemical structure of what was produced; (3) They tested at multiple scales to show the process could work industrially; (4) They optimized growing conditions systematically; (5) The collagen they produced matched human collagen in all important ways. However, this is early-stage research conducted in laboratory settings, not yet tested in real-world commercial production or in human studies.

What the Results Show

The researchers successfully created moss plants that produce human collagen. When they analyzed the collagen using mass spectrometry, they found it contained prolyl-hydroxylation at 23 different sites—these are the exact same chemical modifications found in natural human collagen. This is crucial because these modifications make collagen work properly in the body.

When they scaled up to 5-liter containers (about the size of a large water jug), the moss produced approximately 1 mg of collagen per liter of growth medium after 11 days of growth. While this might sound small, it’s actually a significant achievement for a first-generation system. The production was consistent and depended on how much moss biomass was present and how much light the plants received.

The researchers identified which moss lines were the best producers by measuring collagen at the genetic level, the messenger RNA level, and the actual protein level. This multi-level analysis helped them understand exactly how the moss was making the collagen and allowed them to select the most efficient producers for scaling up.

The collagen fragment produced contained four important protein domains—regions that help with cell adhesion (cells sticking together), collagen binding, integrin recognition (how cells recognize collagen), and wound healing. This means the moss-produced collagen has all the functional regions needed for real-world applications in cosmetics and supplements. The researchers also found that the production system was robust, meaning it worked reliably across multiple batches and conditions. The optimization of growing conditions (CO2 levels, pH, light intensity) showed that production could be fine-tuned for maximum efficiency.

This is the first study to show that moss can produce a post-translationally modified human collagen at a scalable level. Previous research had shown that plants could produce collagen, but this is the first to demonstrate that the collagen has all the important chemical modifications and can be produced in quantities relevant for industrial use. The moss-based approach is novel because it doesn’t require adding extra enzymes—the moss does all the work naturally. This is an advantage over some other plant-based production systems that need additional genetic modifications.

This research was conducted entirely in laboratory settings with small-scale containers. The largest containers tested were only 5 liters, which is tiny compared to industrial-scale production (which typically uses thousands of liters). The study doesn’t include testing the moss-produced collagen in actual cosmetic formulations or in human skin to see if it works as well as animal-derived collagen. The researchers also didn’t compare the cost of producing collagen this way versus traditional methods. Additionally, while the production rate of 1 mg/L is a good start, it may need to be higher to be economically viable for large-scale commercial production. The study also doesn’t address potential regulatory hurdles for using genetically modified moss in consumer products.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, we can say: (1) Moss-based collagen production is scientifically feasible and produces high-quality collagen identical to human collagen (high confidence in the science); (2) This approach could eventually provide a sustainable, vegan alternative to animal collagen (moderate confidence—still needs commercial development); (3) Consumers interested in vegan or sustainable skincare should watch for future products using this technology, but they’re not available yet (low confidence in near-term availability). This is promising early-stage research, not yet ready for consumer use.

This research is most relevant to: (1) People who prefer vegan or plant-based cosmetics and supplements; (2) Consumers concerned about the environmental impact of animal agriculture; (3) People with ethical concerns about using animal-derived products; (4) The cosmetics and supplement industry looking for sustainable alternatives; (5) Investors interested in biotechnology and sustainable production methods. This research is NOT yet relevant to consumers looking to buy collagen products today—these products don’t exist yet. People with specific skin conditions should continue following their dermatologist’s recommendations.

This is very early-stage research. Realistic timeline expectations: 2-5 years for further laboratory optimization and safety testing; 5-10 years for regulatory approval and commercial product development; 10+ years before moss-based collagen products might be widely available in stores. This timeline is typical for bringing new biotechnology products to market. Don’t expect to see these products soon, but this research suggests they could eventually become available.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Users could track their interest in sustainable skincare by logging: (1) Current collagen product usage (source, frequency, cost); (2) Skincare concerns (dryness, elasticity, firmness); (3) Preference for vegan/sustainable products (yes/no); (4) Willingness to switch to plant-based alternatives when available. This creates a baseline for comparing future moss-based products.
  • Users can prepare for future moss-based collagen products by: (1) Learning about collagen’s role in skin health; (2) Tracking current skincare routines and results; (3) Setting reminders to research emerging sustainable beauty brands; (4) Joining communities interested in vegan skincare to stay informed about new product launches; (5) Documenting skin condition photos to compare against future products.
  • Long-term tracking approach: (1) Monthly check-ins on skin elasticity and firmness using simple self-assessment; (2) Quarterly reviews of skincare product effectiveness; (3) Annual updates on emerging sustainable collagen products; (4) Tracking of environmental values and how they align with product choices; (5) Setting alerts for news about moss-based collagen commercialization. This positions users to adopt new products as they become available.

This research describes early-stage laboratory work on producing collagen using genetically modified moss. Moss-based collagen products are not currently available for consumer use. This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Anyone with specific skin concerns or conditions should consult with a dermatologist or healthcare provider. The findings described are preliminary and have not yet been tested in human clinical trials. Future commercial products would need to undergo rigorous safety testing and regulatory approval before becoming available to consumers. Always consult healthcare professionals before making changes to your skincare routine or starting new supplements.