In a hair raising advance, scientists from Sanford Burnham Prebys have grown hair using human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs.)
The findings were presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR), and will potentially provide a new option to the
[m]ore than 80 million men, women and children in the United States [alone, who] experience hair loss. Genetics, aging, childbirth, cancer treatment, burn injuries and medical disorders such as alopecia can cause the condition. Hair loss is often associated with emotional distress that can reduce quality of life and lead to anxiety and depression.
"Our new protocol described today overcomes key technological challenges that kept our discovery from real-world use," says Alexey Terskikh, Ph.D., an associate professor in Sanford Burnham Prebys' Development, Aging and Regeneration Program and the co-founder and chief scientific officer of Stemson Therapeutics. "Now we have a robust, highly controlled method for generating natural-looking hair that grows through the skin using an unlimited source of human iPSC-derived dermal papilla cells. This is a critical breakthrough in the development of cell-based hair-loss therapies and the regenerative medicine field."
The iPSCs used are effectively unlimited in supply and obtainable via a routine blood draw. iPSCs are derived from an adult patient's own cells and are not subject to rejection or the ethical issues that surround embryonic stem cells. The method described in the presentation
features a 3D biodegradable scaffold made from the same material as dissolvable stitches. The scaffold controls the direction of hair growth and helps the stem cells integrate into the skin, a naturally tough barrier.
A new company, Stemson Therapeutics, has been formed to further develop and commercialize the technology.
(Score: 2) by aiwarrior on Friday June 28 2019, @07:37AM (1 child)
I have been hearing this song for so long yet my hair is still receding. Come on get if fast!
I can't wait for some bald ass public figures to grow a huge 80's mane. I surely will.
(Score: 3, Touché) by c0lo on Friday June 28 2019, @08:36AM
Imagine the Terminator's bare ass [gstatic.com] with an '80-ies mullet coming out of it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by Bot on Friday June 28 2019, @08:17AM (3 children)
Capt. Picard character gets noticeably funnier.
Account abandoned.
(Score: 3, Insightful) by c0lo on Friday June 28 2019, @08:26AM (2 children)
(hairy Picard):facepalm:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoFiw2jMy-0 https://soylentnews.org/~MichaelDavidCrawford
(Score: 2) by coolgopher on Friday June 28 2019, @12:24PM (1 child)
Can you imagine Riker's chest hair though?!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 28 2019, @01:19PM
On whose chest? Deanna's?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 28 2019, @08:38AM
How I lost my hair.
(Score: 3, Interesting) by stretch611 on Friday June 28 2019, @03:20PM (2 children)
My hair started thinning out up top. It was noticeable, but not yet bald.
I made the decision just to shave it all off even though the thinning was not that severe. I ave never looked back or regretted that decision and that was 10 years ago. I honestly wish that I did it sooner.
While it took a little getting used to at first, pretty much everyone liked it. The worst my brother (who constantly insults me about everything) could say was compare me to a wrestler.
It's easy to handle... All you need to do is just shave off any new growth. No styling needed. No more hat hair. After you get out of the shower, a simple swipe with a towel and your head is completely dry, no more wet head for a half an hour.
Its even saves money. No need to buy shampoo anymore, just use regular soap and water. No more trips to the barber or stylist.
No one wants to piss you off... ever. Admittedly this is due more to my height; at 6'11" people always try to be nice to you... But damn... no one at all wants to piss of the bald, goatee sporting motherF-er that towers over them by a full foot.
I NEVER want to go back to having a full head of hair.
Now with 5 covid vaccine shots/boosters altering my DNA :P
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 28 2019, @03:49PM (1 child)
I've never met anyone on the internet under 6 feet tall. How strange.
(Score: 3, Funny) by sshelton76 on Friday June 28 2019, @04:47PM
/me waves Hi, I'm 5'5" in sneakers, 5'7" in my Tony Lamas.
If it helps your case though, I do weigh like I'm supposed to be a foot taller!
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Friday June 28 2019, @04:05PM
I'm a user too.
(Score: 3, Funny) by The Shire on Friday June 28 2019, @08:48PM (1 child)
I find it funny yet sad how we spend billions every year curing human diseases in mice. It's very rare to see these treatments actually work in humans because, well, people are not mice.
https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/2019/6/15/18679138/nutrition-health-science-mice-news?ref=hvper.com [vox.com]
(Score: 2, Funny) by ChrisMaple on Saturday June 29 2019, @05:01AM
"That's it! I'm canceling my membership in the hair club for mice."