Scientists from the University of Manchester have recently discovered the molecular process that transforms embryonic cells into hair cells. This finding made them understand why some people are harrier than others and this could eventually lead to a treatment of baldness.
By studying mice, the researchers have discovered a protein code that instructs the cells to grow hair. When this code was sent to more cells, they were able to breed mice with more fur. Same thing could happen to bald people, said Denis Headon, the lead researcher, saying that during human development, our skin cells can transform into other cell types that form hair follicles, sweat glands, teeth and nails. Three proteins that are produced by our genes determine which of these cells turn into hair follicles. Their study uncovered how one of those proteins that work outside the cell interacted at a molecular level to determine a person’s hair pattern, he explained.