On January 6, 2010 a press release was issued with the headline “Researchers Develop First Successful Hair Cloning Technique – Major Advancement In Hair Restoration.” Since that date there has been a lot of online (and offline) discussion about how accurate the press release really was.
For years, hair cloning has been looked at as the holy grail for hair loss sufferers. It is an innovation that brings promise and hope to millions of people dealing with hair loss, the promise that they can restore the hair that has been lost.
Enter ACell’s MatriStem MicroMatrix.
Spencer Kobren conducted an interview with one of the MicroMatrix researchers, Dr. Jerry Cooley the same day the press release was issued. The interview helped to clear up a lot of questions that had been looming in the minds of readers as they drank their morning cup of coffee. Namely, was hair actually cloned? The answer is, yes. In the interview Dr. Cooley stated
“By using plucked hair in a very specific manner, we have been able to get a new follicle to regenerate using the ACell, as well as you are not depleting it from the original site”
It is important for readers to know, this research is still in the very early stages. The MatriStem wound healing powder has really primarily been used for the facilitation of the healing process. When MatriStem is placed onto a wound, it is resorbed and replaced with new native tissue where scar tissue would normally be expected. The range of care that the MatriStem devices can be used for is quite vast, including medical applications for wound care, general surgery, gastrointestinal surgery, urology and plastic and reconstructive surgery.
This type of medical technology brings with it hope for all types of medical ailments, and yes, it rekindles that light that hair cloning may one day be a very viable solution for men, women and children afflicted with hair loss.
For now, we just have to wait and see what comes next.
Background Information
About ACell Inc.
ACell, Inc. offers the next generation of regenerative medicine through the development and commercialization of unique extracellular matrix (“ECM”) devices to repair and remodel damaged tissues and organs in a broad range of surgical procedures. ACell’s patented ECM devices are covered by multiple U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) clearances and address important unmet clinical needs, providing safe, effective and economic therapeutic outcomes to the surgical community.
These devices, referred to in studies and medical journals as UBM (Urinary Bladder Matrix) and trademarked as MatriStem®, are derived from specific tissue layers of porcine urinary bladder and comprise a naturally occurring, noncrosslinked, completely resorbable, acellular biomaterial. MatriStem devices contain multiple naturally occurring growth factors, multiple collagen types and feature a basement membrane surface which is ideal for epithelial cell growth in many applications. All MatriStem devices are made at ACell’s FDA registered cGMP manufacturing facility in Lafayette, IN.
ACell’s MatriStem Plastic Surgery Matrix, Wound Care Matrix and MatriStem MicroMatrix
ACell, Inc. has developed a proprietary line of plastic surgery and wound care devices utilizing an advanced regenerative medicine technology. ACell’s MatriStem technology is a naturally occurring bioscaffold derived from porcine tissue. When MatriStem is placed into a surgical site or wound, it is resorbed and replaced with new native tissue where scar tissue would normally be expected.
MatriStem Plastic Surgery Matrix is intended for implantation to reinforce soft tissue where weakness exists, including, but not limited to the following procedures: tissue and body wall repair.
Resources and Information
ACell Inc. Company Website
Press Release
Interview between Spencer Kobren and Dr. Jerry Cooley
Followup Audio Commentary on MatriStem MicroMatrix
ACell Donor Site Repair PDF
Discuss this topic on the American Hair Loss Association forum.
Yes, it is good and providing positive results. regenerative medicine scottsdale providing services.
ReplyDelete