Research published at the University at Buffalo has suggested that hair follicles may be a potential source of new skin tissues for the engineering of blood vessels for bypass surgery. Stelios T. Andreadis, Ph.D., co-authored a report in Cardiovascular Research that says, "Regenerating new skin tissue using stem cells obtained from the most accessible source -- hair follicles -- is a real possibility."

Research has determined that hair follicles do contain stem cells, which are known in the forensic community as a rich source of DNA. However, the report also showed that stem cells capable of being isolated from sheep hair follicles contained smooth muscle tissue and cells that also grow new blood vessels. Studies into human hair follicle stem cells also show such capabilities.

Such a development can be used to create vascular grafts, regenerate cardiac tissue, as well as provide new skin for burn victims. Smooth muscle tissue and cells define multiple tissues and organs within the body, including those found in the gastrointestinal tract, the abdominal cavity, the respiratory tract and many other internal organs such as the bladder.

"Preliminary experiments in our laboratory suggest an exciting possibility -- that stem cells from hair follicles may be similar to bone marrow mesenchymal cells," said Andreadis.

The works, funded by the John R. Oishei Foundation of Buffalo is ongoing in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of Buffalo School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.