Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Immune surveillance structures found in skin hair follicles

The study reveals that hair follicles contain specialized sentinel cells that monitor environmental exposure and microbial presence, potentially linking immune detection to sensory signaling. The discovery may have implications for understanding skin infections, immune disorders, and topical therapeutics.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalFrontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 24, 2026

Low doses of antibiotic work just as well as higher ones to treat rare type of chronic hair loss

Researchers found that lower doses (20mg) and higher doses (100mg) of doxycycline were equally effective in treating lymphocytic scarring alopecia, a rare skin condition causing permanent hair loss. The low-dose regimen resulted in fewer side effects and no compromise on efficacy or anti-inflammatory benefit.

SourceNYU Langone Health / NYU Grossman School of Medicine·JournalJournal of the American Academy of Dermatology·TypeObservational study·DateMar 18, 2025

Having a bad hair day? Blame your genes!

A new study has identified four genetic variants associated with the direction of human scalp hair whorls, revealing a polygenic inheritance pattern. The findings may help unravel biological processes related to abnormal neurological development.

SourceElsevier·JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology·TypeExperimental study·DateAug 9, 2023

Coaxing hair growth in aging hair follicle stem cells

Researchers at Northwestern University have discovered a way to soften stiff hair follicle stem cells, enabling them to grow hair again. By boosting the production of microRNA-205, they promote hair growth in both young and old mice, offering potential for human hair regrowth.

SourceNorthwestern University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 5, 2023

Hair follicles heal blisters at personal cost

Researchers discovered that hair follicle stem cells play a key role in healing skin blisters, which delays the growth of hair follicles in regenerated skin tissue. This balance between wound healing and development has implications for treating epidermolysis bullosa, pemphigoid diseases and other blistering conditions.

SourceHokkaido University·JournalEMBO Reports·DateJun 14, 2021

How chronic stress leads to hair loss

Harvard researchers identify how chronic stress impairs hair follicle stem cells, leading to delayed regeneration and hair loss. The study found that the stress hormone corticosterone delays stem cell activation, while Gas6 pathway activation promotes hair growth.

SourceHarvard University·JournalNature·DateMar 31, 2021

A recipe for regenerating bioengineered hair

Scientists at RIKEN Center for Biosystems Dynamics Research have identified a population of hair follicle stem cells and developed a recipe for normal cyclical regeneration. In the study, 81% of bioengineered hair follicles generated in NFFSE medium went through at least three hair cycles and produced normal hair.

SourceRIKEN·JournalScientific Reports·DateFeb 10, 2021

Fine-tuning stem cell metabolism prevents hair loss

Researchers discover that hair follicle stem cells can prolong their life by switching metabolic state in response to low oxygen concentration, preventing age-induced hair loss. The team identified Rictor signaling as crucial for this process, which involves a shift from glutamine metabolism to glycolysis.

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalCell Metabolism·DateSep 28, 2020

The real reason behind goosebumps

Researchers found that the sympathetic nerve connects to hair follicle stem cells, bridging the gap between nervous system control and hair regeneration. The muscle facilitates this connection, allowing the nerve to directly regulate stem cell behavior and promote new hair growth in response to temperature changes.

SourceHarvard University·JournalCell·DateJul 20, 2020

Creating hairy human skin: Not as easy as you think

Researchers at Boston Children's Hospital successfully recreate human skin with hair, nerves, and fat using a novel culture technique. The breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize wound treatment, burn care, and cosmetics testing, as well as aid in the development of new treatments for diseases such as Merkel cell carcinoma.

SourceBoston Children's Hospital·JournalNature·DateJun 5, 2020

Hairy skin grown from mouse stem cells

Indy University researchers created lab-grown skin tissue with hair follicles using mouse stem cells. The skin model closely resembles natural hair growth, making it useful for testing drugs and understanding hair development. The team discovered that the two layers of skin cells must grow together to form hair follicles.

SourceCell Press·JournalCell Reports·DateJan 2, 2018

Converting adult human cells to hair-follicle-generating stem cells

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have successfully converted adult human cells into epithelial stem cells that can regenerate human skin and hair follicles. The breakthrough could potentially enable hair regeneration in people, but further work is needed to address other cell types involved in hair growth.

SourceUniversity of Pennsylvania School of Medicine·JournalNature Communications·DateJan 28, 2014

Hair regeneration method is first to induce new human hair growth

Researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have devised a novel hair restoration method that can generate new human hair growth, potentially expanding the use of hair transplantation to women and younger patients. The approach uses dermal papilla cells from patient donations to induce hair follicle growth in tissue culture.

SourceColumbia University Irving Medical Center·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateOct 21, 2013

Why our backs can't read braille

Researchers created stunning images of branching patterns of individual sensory nerve cells, defining ten distinct groups that likely correspond to differences in what the nerves do. The branching patterns can help scientists make sense of known responses to stimulation of the skin and may hold clues for pain management.