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• Dr. Christiano - Report on Gene Mapping

• HairSite Editorial - 1/5/99

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Dr. Christiano's discover was a result of a technique called gene mapping or genetic linkaage. With gene mapping, scientists can look for new genes in families where several members are affected with a common skin condition, such as hair loss. Using genetic markers as "signposts", scientists compare about 400 signposts within families and look for locations where all affected individuals carry the same signposts. The locations are assigned a score and if the score is greater than 3, than it is assumed that the association did not happen by chance.

Dr. Christiano discussed the applications of gene mapping to hereditary hair loss. According to Dr. Christiano, researchers at Columbia recently successfully cloned a gene that is associated with an inherited form of hair loss called "generalized atrichia". Individuals affected by this disorder are born with infant hair that falls out and never grow back. The same group of researchers went on and discovered the "hairless" gene that is responsible for hairlessness in mice. This discovery is extremely encouraging because it acts indirectly by turning on several other genes involved in hair loss. At this point, the research team is trying to identify these other genes which could be the answer to the more common types of baldness, eg: male pattern baldness.

Dr. Christiano further added that they are currently conducting a more extensive form of gene mapping, known as complex trait mapping studies. It is anticipated that the discovery of the "hairless" gene will allow researchers to gain a better understanding of the genetic control of hair cycle. Specifically, researchers are now attempting to fix the root of the problem at the genetic level. 

Despite all the excitement from the discovery of the "hairless" gene, Dr. Christiano provided no indication as to  how long it will take before we see a genetic cure for hair loss. It appears that we are still in the very early stages of a long hard battle against baldness.