A new report published in the journal Cardiovascular Research describes how researchers from the University of Buffalo believe stem cells from hair follicles have the potential to be engineered into new blood vessels for bypass surgery.The study, led by Stelios T. Andreadis, Ph.D., associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering in the UB School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, points out that stem cells from hair follicles can be used to engineer new blood vessels and regenerate new skin tissue. The researchers said stem cells from sheep hair follicles contain the smooth muscle cells that grow new vasculature. Stem cells from human hair follicles also differentiate into contractile smooth muscle cells.
