2026-03-05 15:00:52
People may no longer suffer with bald patches thanks to lab-grown hair.
Scientists have developed hair follicles in the lab that can follow the the body’s natural hair growth cycle.
In a new clinical trial, researchers were able to grow follicles that not only produced hair, but also behaved like natural follicles – growing, shedding and regrowing hair over time.
Previous attempts have struggled to recreate the full hair cycle.
While scientists have previously produced hair-like structures in the lab, they typically failed to attach properly to skin or follow the natural pattern of growth and loss.
The new study, published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, found the key may lie in a previously unidentified cell type.
Until now, most research focused on epithelial stem cells and dermal papilla cells – both known to play major roles in hair growth.
However, the team discovered a type of “accessory” mesenchymal cell.
Researchers believe this newly identified cell may be the missing piece needed for fully functional hair regeneration.
The scientists say these mesenchymal cells help hair follicles progress through their growth cycles and connect with surrounding tissue – both essential steps for sustainable hair growth.
Early tests in mice have already shown promising results, with lab-grown “hair seeds” were implanted into the animals’ skin, where they successfully integrated with the surrounding tissue.
The follicles then behaved like normal ones, regenerating hair in sync with the rodents’ natural fur cycles.
Yoshio Shimo, CEO of Japanese regenerative medicine company OrganTech, said: “This work defines a foundational cellular configuration for functional hair follicle regeneration.”
The researchers added the findings provide evidence that “fully functional hair follicle regeneration can be achieved” and could pave the way for future trials in humans.
Scientists hope the new therapy could eventually offer a more permanent solution – but it may still take several years before it reaches patients.
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