Tuesday, May 22, 2007

This Could Get Hairy


There's hope for Elmer. It seems researchers have found a new way of generating hair through the manipulation of a single gene.

The Pennsylvania team found that a particular gene important in wound healing, called wnt, appeared to play a role in the production of new hair follicles. In its experiment, small sections of the outer skin layer, or epidermis, were removed from mice. Just this act appeared to awaken stem cell activity in the area, the scientists said, which included the production of a number of hair follicles.
Of course, since this has no relation to AIDS research, it won't be fast-tracked.


3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Of course, since this has no relation to AIDS research, it won't be fast-tracked.

I don't know about that, LR...

Medical Research is funded by two different groups: The American Taxpayer, who has no control over what does or does not get funding, and Old White Men, who have ABSOLUTE control over the research that they fund.

If it cures Impotence or Baldness, it WILL get funded.

Lone Ranger said...

Oh, I'm not worried about the funding. It's the monumental, multi-year development required by the government that worries me -- not that I need that sort of thing.

Anonymous said...

Good one, Tug!