The recent discovery minimizes scarring and enables goosebumps.
discovered a sort of molecular switch in the skin of baby mice that's in charge of creating hair follicles during the mice's first week on Earth. Typically, once the skin becomes fully formed, meaning when mice have reached adulthood, this molecular switch turns off. The same happens with humans.
The team essentially switched the molecule back on in adult mice and found that it enabled their skin wounds to heal without scarring, with fur, and could create goosebumps. The latter is no longer possible on adult scarred skin.
The team used RNA sequencing to compare the genes and cells in newborn and adult skin. In doing so, the team discovered a transcription factor-proteins that links DNA and determines whether genes are switched on or off. This factor is called, and is linked to papillary fibroblasts, which are cells still in their developmental stages, located in a layer of skin just beneath the surface skin. This lower layer is what provides skin with tension and a youthful-looking appearance.
By activating Lef1 in the adult mice, the team found that scarring was reduced and skin regeneration possible, as well as regrowing hair follicles that enable goosebumps. The team stresses that a lot more work on the subject needs to conduct before this can be trialed on human skin. But, if all continues to go to plan, this could be an incredibly useful discovery for adult humans.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
What Scientists Found After Analyzing Cases of Human Inbreeding in the UKHuman inbreeding by the numbers. Geneticists can tell if your parents were closely related — and whether that will affect your health.
Read more »
Scientists discovered an organism that hunts and eats virusesResearchers have discovered that certain organisms eat viruses, which could open new doors for medical research.
Read more »
The Chilling Tale of The 'Demon Core' And The Scientists Who Became Its VictimsIt was August 13, 1945, and the 'demon core' was poised, waiting to be unleashed onto a stunned Japan still reeling in fresh chaos from the deadliest attacks anyone had ever seen.
Read more »
Scientists Reveal Two Simple Words That Can Improve Your RelationshipThe power of 'thank you' - Feeling appreciated by your partner leads to increased satisfaction and protection against stressors. Gratitude has become a popular concept in recent years, with a variety of products being sold to promote thankfulness as a positive force in individuals' lives. Howeve
Read more »
Scientists working towards stopping lithium-ion battery degradationResearchers want to move towards designing longer-lasting lithium-ion batteries.
Read more »