Gene behind hair loss identified

LONDON: People anxious over their hair loss might not need to worry anymore, for a gene that prevents regeneration of hair has been identified — opening a broad path to treatments for thinning locks.
A healthy individual loses about 100 strands of hair daily, with losses occurring evenly around the whole scalp. However, this hair is replaced.
The problem begins when the shedding goes beyond that number, and replacement lags.
Now, after six years of study, researchers at the University of Bonn have identified a gene that causes a rare hereditary form of hair loss - Hypotrichosis simplex — throwing open the possibility of regenerating hair.
These researchers are the first to identify a receptor that plays a role in hair growth. They now hope that their research findings will lead to new therapies that will work with various forms of hair loss.
"Although Hypotrichosis simplex is very uncommon, it may prove critical in our search for an understand of the mechanisms of hair growth," Nature quoted project leader Dr Regina Betz from Bonn's Institute of Human Genetics, as saying. At fault is a genetic defect that prevents certain receptors on the surface of hair follicle cells from being correctly formed.