Free Republic

Madison, WI (LifeNews.com) -- Scientists at the Medical College of Wisconsin have found what may be another alternative to embryonic stem cells. They have found that adult stem cells from hair follicles, which don't involve the destruction of human life to obtain, are different from other types of skin cells. The researchers recently identified the molecular signature of hair follicle stem cells called epidermal neural crest stem cells. The college says the study resolves conflicting scientific opinions by showing that these cells are distinctly different from other types of skin-resident stem cells. The MCW research team has reported their findings...

Making Brain Cells Scientists have announced they've found a way to coax adult hair follicle stem cells into becoming brain cells. Hair-brained? Scientists at AntiCancer, Inc. of San Diego have coaxed adult stem cells in mice into turning into neurons, the nerve cells of the brain. Writing in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the authors say, the results of their work suggests a new "source of undifferentiated multi-potent stem cells." Stem cells are different from other cells because they can change into specialized cells the body needs, the body maintain and repair itself. Many scientists are working to...

Human Hair Follicle Stem CellsCategory: Dermatology NewsArticle Date: 06 Jan 2006 In a study appearing in the January 4, 2006 issue of the Journal of Clinical Investigation, Jonathan Vogel and colleagues from the National Cancer Institute successfully isolated and characterized genes expressed by human hair follicle stem cells. The isolation, cultivation, and propagation of these stem cells are important for tissue-engineering approaches to treating disorders of the hair and skin. Stem cells in the skin and hair follicles are the ultimate source of cells that regenerate the skin and the growth of new hairs. Vogel and colleagues used sophisticated...