One Approach to Hair Regeneration
Do people care more about their hair than their internal organs when it comes to rejuvenation through medical science? Possibly. Out of sight is out of mind, at least until things start to fail - which is a touch too late to wish you'd supported viable rejuvenation research back in the day. In any case, here's the Economist on one line of hair regeneration: "Some years ago it was discovered that when [dermal papilla] cells are relocated, an entirely new hair will grow. That observation is only useful, though, if you can multiply dermal papilla cells - and do so in a way that allows them to keep their ability to induce hair growth. For, in normal culture, dermal papilla cells quickly lose this sought-after ability. ... The long and short of it is that being able to multiply these cells while preserving their efficacy opens the way for unlimited supplies of head hair. Intercytex is therefore conducting a trial of the technology in Manchester. ... The trial's full results will not be available until March 2009, but the company has already said that at least two-thirds of its patients have generated new hair within six months. Unfortunately for eager baldies, regulations require more trials. As a result it is likely to be five years before any product is on the market."
Link: http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=11487403