Researchers Report Progress in Battle Against Baldness

Baltimore--A study conducted by researchers at two major medical facilities here say they believe that manipulating genes within hair cells can reverse baldness.

Researchers at Kennedy Krieger Research Institute and Johns Hopkins University have found that it is possible to re-grow fur on bald mice by correcting a gene mutation. In humans as well as mice, says the study, mutations of the so-called hairless-gene disturb the natural process of hair growth, shedding and re-growth, which can result in total baldness.

The researchers found that by introducing a normal gene in bald mice, they were able to restart the fur-growth process. They added that more research is needed to better understand other components involved in hair growth.