November 24, 1998
Web posted at: 9:40 p.m. EST (0240 GMT)

CHICAGO (CNN) -- Researchers at the University of Chicago's Howard Hughes Medical Center have discovered a new approach to treat baldness -- gene therapy.

Scientists were able to successfully transform skin cells into hair follicles in lab mice through the introduction of a so-called messenger molecule containing the protein beta catenin.

"We've always been told that you're born with a fixed number of hair follicles and that you can never grow them again in adult life," said Angela Christiano of Columbia University. "This study would suggest we now we have the capability to do that."

Similar experiments on humans, however, are not likely in the near future. The scientists have created some very hairy lab mice, but still don't understand how to contain the hair follicle growth process.

"You can actually go too far and cause the cells to grow too much," said University of Chicago researcher Elaine Fuchs. She warned that unchecked cell growth could lead to the development of tumors.

"We still need to understand how this molecule is regulated inside the cell of the developing hair follicle to really take it to the level of clinical application," she added.

About 50 percent of men over 50 experience some type of baldness, although different types can affect women and children as well.

Correspondent Steve Salvatore contributed to this report.