Scientists map hair follicle formation in spacetime, advancing understanding of how organs develop
In a new research report, scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine say they have developed a technology that allows them to capture a 3D molecular "snapshot" of hundreds of hair follicles as they develop and then reconstruct the fourth dimension—time—to create a stop-motion animation of how this organ forms. The research was published in the journal Cell.
Scientists at Johns Hopkins Medicine have developed a technology that captures a 3D molecular snapshot of hair follicles as they form and reconstructs the fourth dimension of time to create a stop-motion animation of organ development. This advancement, published in the journal Cell, may help researchers understand how congenital conditions affect organ development.
The 4D map of hair follicle formation in mice reveals distinct phases, including the organization of precursor cells, differentiation into various cell types, and growth and morphing into a mature follicle. By comparing hair follicles from normal mice with those lacking a critical gene for hair growth (Foxn1), researchers found that hair follicles from hairless mice experienced delayed development.
Cells from these follicles proliferated at a higher rate but had a reduced ability to mature and take on specific roles, leading to a breakdown in cellular communication and timing. This disruption caused the follicle to collapse before hair could form. The research team hopes that this technique will ultimately help diagnose and treat hair loss conditions in people more effectively.
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