Tsuji Team Recreates Full Hair Cycle in Mice, Identifying 1 New Follicle Cell Type
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Tsuji Team Recreates Full Hair Cycle in Mice, Identifying 1 New Follicle Cell Type
2 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 3
Summary
Prof Takashi Tsuji’s team recreated fully cycling hair follicles in mice, with hair repeatedly growing, shedding and regrowing rather than growing only after transplantation.
The advance hinged on a newly identified hair follicle regenerative-supporting cell — a third key cell type that researchers say helps drive follicle development, growth and regeneration.
Claire Higgins of Imperial College London called the result a major step because earlier lab work had produced only partial follicles, not ones that completed the full natural cycle.
The work remains limited to mice, largely using whisker-derived cells, and researchers say translating it to humans will be harder because human hair biology is more complex.
The finding could eventually matter for millions affected by hair loss from alopecia, chemotherapy or ageing; studies suggest about one-third of women experience hair loss at some point.
Japan's hair-cycling breakthrough works in mice. When can humans access this cure, and at what potential cost?
As new therapies emerge, is Japan’s discovery the ultimate cure or just another step towards solving baldness?
Beyond regrowing hair, what are the long-term health risks of transplanting these bioengineered follicles into humans?
Complete Hair Follicle Regeneration Achieved in 2026: RIKEN’s Third Cell Discovery Signals a Turning Point in Baldness Treatment
Overview
In February 2026, Takashi Tsuji's team at RIKEN, working with OrganTech, announced a major breakthrough by identifying a previously unknown 'third cell' essential for complete hair follicle regeneration. Building on their earlier research into hair follicle stem cells, the team successfully recreated the full hair-growth cycle in mice by combining this new cell type with two known components. This achievement marks a significant step toward new treatments for hair loss, as it demonstrates a deeper understanding and control over hair regeneration. The findings were published in a leading scientific journal, highlighting the potential for future clinical applications.