Granted, this is a ways off, but interesting, non the less.

The French are telling us that some of their scientist have officially grown new skin, that developed, on it’s own, hair follicles and sebaceous glands……..They are claiming a potential breakthrought for treating baldness (as well as skin cancer and severe burns) after successfully growing skin with hair follicles using stem cells taken from adult mice.

Once of the cell specialist at the National Institute for Science and Meedical Research reports that “we grew a piece of skin with hair follicles for the first time.” Stem cells are premature cells that develop into various organs. Before we get too excited we need to know that these stem cells were taken from adult mice. The hope from this research is that these cells can eventually be “programmed” into growing replacement limbs or internal organs in a laboratory. I don’t know about you but this kind of reminds me of some horror films I’ve seen in the past,,, some scary sounding stuff.

This five year research effort had isolated stem cells in the hair roots of adult mice that were able to develop into the entire range of cells needed for the outer layer of skin, including the sebaceous glands and follicles producing hair or fur. Each follicle, whether in mice, rats or humans, contained about 1500 stem cells, which could migrate and develop into glands, hair or skin, called keratinocytes. According to one of the doctors who worked on the project, “We now have the first direct proof of the ability of these cells to grow on skin”.

The researchers’ next goal is to find compounds that will guide the cells towards specific tasks, such as promoting the growth of skin, which could be used for burn victims whose skin grafts are often unsightly as they are shiny and hairless. Another goal would be a treatment to encourage the stem to promote hair growth for bald people or conversely, to destroy selected cells in order to discourage hair growth.

Perhaps, someday, they will at least be able to help the half of humanity who wants more hair on their head.  Whenever it happens, it will be a good thing for millions suffering from hair loss.