Stem cells are premature cells that develop into various organs.
The most spectacular are found in embryos at their very earliest days of development. Dr Barrandon said the five-year research effort had isolated stem cells in the hair roots of adult mice that were able to develop into the entire range of cells needed for the outer layer of skin, including the sebaceous glands and follicles for producing hair or fur. Each follicle, whether in mice, rats or humans, contained about 1,500 stem cells, which could migrate and develop into glands, hair or skin, called keratinocytes. The researchers' next goal is to find compounds that will guide the cells towards specific tasks, such as promoting the growth of skin, which could be used for burns victims, whose grafts are often unsightly as they are shiny and hairless. Another goal would be a treatment to encourage the stem cells to promote hair growth for bald people or conversely to destroy selected cells in order to discourage hair growth.