Recent research findings from the University of Manchester could help an inherited form of baldness. According to reports, researchers have discovered a protein "code" that instructs cells to sprout hair; by sending this code to more cells than usual, the scientists reportedly were able to breed mice with more fur.
"During human development, skin cells have the ability to turn into other types of cells to form hair follicles, sweat glands, teeth and nails," explained Denis Headon, who led the research, as reported by Yahoo news. He added that the cells transformed into hair follicles are determined by three proteins produced by genes.
"Our research has identified how one of these proteins working outside of the cell interacts at a molecular level to determine an individual's hair pattern as the embryonic skin spatially organizes itself," said Headon in the report.
The research conducted was aimed at helping people with ectodermal dysplasia, an inherited condition characterized by the abnormal development of hair, skin, nails, teeth and sweat glands.