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 hundreds of hair follicles as they develop, then reconstructs the fourth dimension—time—to create a stop-motion animation of how this organ forms. The research, published in the journal Cell, provides a model system for understanding broad-stroke fundamentals of organ development and may help scientists identify distinct phases in hair follicle formation, including the organization of precursor cells, differentiation into various cell types, and growth and morphogenesis into a mature follicle.
This advancement may lead to a better understanding of congenital conditions affecting organ development and pave the way for new treatments for hair loss.
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