ELAINE FUCHS HH M I in ve s t i g a t o r and : Means to a genetic end

Skin and hair fascinate Elaine Fuchs, study stem cells and learn about how they Ph.D.,who heads the university’s Laboratory choose between making skin epidermis or of Mammalian Cell and Devel o p m e n t . making hair. Employing modern molecular From proteins that act like glue to hold biology techniques,the scientists trick stem together skin to those that form a tough cells into making one choice — for example, outer barrier to keep harmful pathogens out to become hair.The scientists test their find- and essential fluids in the body, Fuchs’s ings by introducing small mutations in spe- research goal is the same:understand how cific skin genes in laboratory mice.More skin proteins function at the level of the cell. often than not,this key step has guided them While unraveling the secrets of our body’s to the genetic bases of human skin disorders. largest organ,she finds clues to the genetic Fuchs’s lab has determined the genetic origins of skin diseases,including cancer. basis of a type of skin tumor that affects the Fuchs is addressing one of today’ s cruc i a l scalp.The lab hopes to understand the genet- bi o l o gical questions:“What are the amazing ics of squamous and basal cell carcinomas, pro p e r ties of stem cells of the body that enable the most common types of human cancers in them to develop into tissues and organs?” the world.“Because of their extraordinary Her lab studies how skin stem cells are self-regenerating properties,stem cells,when able to divide and churn out skin cells in a gone awry, are the likely cause of many if not Petri dish,a process used to treat burn vic- most types of human cancers,” says Fuchs. tims.“If we understand enough about the While her goal is to unravel the biology biology of skin stem cells,and how they can of normal cells,not the causes of skin dis- make both hair and skin,will we be able in eases,Fuchs’s results exemplify the unexpect- the future to coax stem cells of the skin or ed benefits of basic research to medicine as hair into becoming something that they nor- well as science. mally would not become,such as a blood vessel to the heart,neurons for the brain,or pancreatic islet cells?”she asks. Skin cells’ du r ability comes from the These tissues can be severely damaged by, ke ra t i n . This protein also makes up the bul k respectively, heart attack,Alzheimer’s and of hair cells.To switch on hair genes diabetes.If skin stem cells can be persuaded and turn cells into keratin fa c t o ri e s, hair pre- to become other tissues,they could be the cursor cells need a signal to tell them to make basis for new treatments. a tran s c r iption factor between beta-catenin Scientists must first thoroughly under- and a partner protein.The hair follicle at rig h t stand normal stem cells.“There is much is stained with antibodies to reveal the pres- promise for stem cells in revolutionizing ence of beta-catenin (lime green). In blue are medicine, but there is so much we must first the cells’ nu cl e i . Beta-catenin norma l l y stays learn about stem cells before we can reach at the cells’ bo rd e r s , but the hair precursor cells the stage of even knowing whether this (at base) have received their signal and begun to move with their partners to the nucle u s . might be possible,” she points out. Unlike other stem cells,skin stem cells can be cultured easily in the lab.With these lab cultures,Fuchs and her research team

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