Key points from article :
Hair cells were generated in a lab and researchers grew fully mature follicles with long shafts.
They were even able to improve colour by adding a drug that boosted melanin, a natural pigment.
Their work can contribute to the development of useful applications in treating hair loss disorders, animal testing, and drug screenings.
The technique involves creating skin organoids – tiny, simple versions of an organ – in a petri dish.
Lead author Dr. Tatsuto Kageyama, said: “Organoids were a promising tool to elucidate the mechanisms in hair follicle morphogenesis in vitro.”
The organoids produced fully mature follicles about 3mm in length after 23 days of culture with almost 100 percent efficiency.
By transplanting the organoids, they achieved regeneration with repeating hair cycles.
Future research could open the door to developing fresh treatments for hair loss disorders, such as male pattern baldness.
The study was carried out at Yokohama National University and published in the journal Science Advances.
