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- Dr. Marty "Mary" Sawaya of University of Florida is
close to discovering the gene that causes baldness or hair loss. According to Dr. Sawaya,
it is highly likely that a treatment for hair loss, based on her studies of genes, will be
available in about 5 years. The gene-based treatment will be based on one of two
approaches.
- One is through the application of a compoound that will prevent
the baldness gene from being activated.
- The other approach is to duplicate the gene for healthy growing
hair in someone who is losing his hair.
- Either approach can take the form of a topical lotion or cream.
- Dr. Sawaya's research has generated a lot of excitement in the
industry. In fact, Dr. Sawaya has been approached by twenty pharmaceutical companies and
ten investment banks to develop an application for commercial use. Concerns about
independence and autonomy make Dr. Sawaya turned down the offers.
- According to Dr. Michael Mulan, a neurogeneticist at University
of South Florida, the biggest issue is how to deliver the good gene to the cells.
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