How cell metabolism affects hair growth and skin cancer risk
Metabolic Control of Hair Follicle Stem Cell Homeostasis and Tumorigenesis
This project looks at whether changing how cells process energy helps hair stem cells wake up to grow hair or keeps them from becoming skin cancer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California Los Angeles NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11330485 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
The team studies metabolic enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and how they control hair follicle stem cells using lab models of hair growth and skin tumors. They change how cells use pyruvate and measure metabolites such as lactate and L-2-hydroxyglutarate to see how these chemicals alter stem cell activity and gene regulation. The work uses genetic tools, drug treatments, and metabolic and molecular analyses on tissue and tumor samples to connect metabolism with hair regeneration and cancer formation. Results are intended to point toward approaches that could promote hair regrowth or reduce skin cancer risk.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with hair loss (alopecia) or those with early or precancerous skin lesions would be most relevant to this research.
Not a fit: Those with hair loss caused mainly by hormones or with advanced metastatic skin cancer are less likely to benefit directly from this basic laboratory research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to new ways to restore hair growth or lower the risk of certain skin cancers.
How similar studies have performed: Earlier lab studies from this group showed LDH and glycolytic changes affect hair stem cell activation, but applying these findings to human treatments is still new.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- University of California Los Angeles — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lowry, William E — University of California Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Lowry, William E
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.