The domain of hair transplant and cloning is truly dynamic and there are constant researches and studies being conducted. As a matter of fact, a recent study conducted by Dr. Claire Higgins and Dr. Colin Jahoda has delved deep into the basic tenets of hair cloning and what the challenges in this path are. The article has been published in Hair Transplant Forum International and discusses the focal points that are causing hindrances.
- Difficulty 1: Difficulty in harvesting dermal papilla cells from humans, which can be used to self-aggregate and hence form new hair follicles
- Difficulty 2: The incapabilityof scientists to produce typical follicles or hairs
In the article, Jahoda and Higgins have described at length, how dermal papillae of rats tend to organise themselves and create new follicles. This happens when they are injected or hair follicles are grafted into the skin. However, this is not something that has been visible in human dermal papilla. Instead of regenerating new hair follicles, they simply dissipate into the skin and act as a healing mechanism for wounds.
However, in light of what Jahoda and Higgins have published, hair follicle neogenesis might be the way to the future. With three dimensional culturing of dermal papillae, inducing the neogenesis of hair follicles seems possible. The same method has also made it possible to improve on the communication between cells, something that is crucial for proper follicle growth.
Even though there has been a lot of progress in terms of improving the communicative links between the dermal cells, there are still a lot of hurdles that stand in the way of actually cloning human hair. For instance, the quality of the hair that has been grown using the neogenesis technique is not up to the mark. The hair that was cultivated in this manner was either too short or grew in a non-uniformed direction.
However, this has certainly laid the ground work for possible success in the days to come.
