Abstract: The present invention provides: a composition for reconstituting human skin tissue having hair follicles, the composition characterized by containing human epidermal cells and human dermal cells, the human dermal cells containing cell groups of human hair papilla derived from non-embryos via spheroid formation; and a human skin tissue model animal to which said composition is applied. The invention also provides a method for producing said composition and animal.

Abstract: Provided is an identification method for dermal sheath cup cells (DSCC) in hair follicle-derived cells, said method being characterized by comprising using the expression level of GREM2 gene as an index. Also provided is a method for evaluating a composition for hair follicle regeneration which contains hair follicle-derived cells, said method being characterized by comprising determining the ratio and/or activity of dermal sheath cup cells (DSCC) in the hair follicle-derived cells with the use of the expression level of GREM2 gene as an index.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell transformed by a vector containing human Wnt3a gene, wherein the cell is selected from a group consisting of hair follicle-derived cells and prostate cancer-derived cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin test method for predicting the formation of spots in the skin. This method is characterized by judging skin to be susceptible to spot formation in the case expression of genes consisting of MLSTD1, MOGAT1, FADS2, FADS1, HSD3B1, ELOVL3, BG1, PECR, FABP7, FA2H, HAO2, ALOX15B, PDE6A, LZTS1, SEC14L4, BAMBI, CIDEA, TERE1, GAL, THRSP, INSIG1 or CUTL2 in the epidermis is accelerated, or the expression of genes consisting of RBBP6, MSMB, WIF1, ANKRD12, FLG, SYNE2, SCEL, NKTR or AMBP in the epidermis is decreased as compared with normal expression in the epidermis.

Abstract: The invention features methods of promoting hair growth in a subject. The methods include inducing or mimicking the effects of Wnt promoted signal transduction, e.g., by increasing the level of Wnt protein or administering an agent which mimics an effect of Wnt promoted signal transduction, e.g., by administering lithium chloride. Methods of inhibiting hair growth are also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cell transformed by a vector containing human Wnt3a gene, wherein the cell is selected from a group consisting of hair follicle-derived cells and prostate cancer-derived cells.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a hair dermal papilla cell preparation comprising preparing a cell suspension by removing epidermal tissue from skin tissue and subjecting the resulting dermal tissue fraction to collagenase treatment, and cyropreserving the cell suspension to kill the follicular epidermal cells. The present invention also provides a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising hair dermal papilla cell and epidermal cells, wherein the ratio of the number of hair dermal papilla cell to the number of epidermal cells is from 1:10 to 10:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a hair dermal papilla cell preparation comprising preparing a cell suspension by removing epidermal tissue from skin tissue and subjecting the resulting dermal tissue fraction to collagenase treatment, and cyropreserving the cell suspension to kill the follicular epidermal cells. The present invention also provides a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising hair dermal papilla cell and epidermal cells, wherein the ratio of the number of hair dermal papilla cell to the number of epidermal cells is from 1:10 to 10:1.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of producing a cell mass capable of serving as a primitive organ-like structure comprised of a plurality of somatic cell types of somatic origin, comprising: preparing cultures containing the plurality of types of somatic cells; mixing the plurality of types of somatic cell cultures followed by adding a Wnt signal activator to the mixed cell culture; subjecting the culture containing the Wnt signal activator to non-plate contact culturing over a predetermined time period; and replacing the medium of the culture cultured by the non-plate contact culturing with medium not containing Wnt signal activator and further culturing for a predetermined time period; wherein, at least one type of the plurality of somatic cells is maintained in an undifferentiated state.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and semiconductor circuit for providing a read operation in a NAND flash memory. The NAND flash memory includes an array of bit lines. The method includes selecting a first set of bit lines of the array of bit lines for performing the read operation. The first set of bit lines are pre-charged to a pre-defined voltage level. At the same time, a second set of bit line are also charged to the pre-defined voltage. The second set of bit lines are in anti-phase to the first set of bit lines. Further, reading of the first set of bit-lines is performed. The second set of bit lines is maintained at the pre-defined voltage level during the reading of the first set of bit lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin test method for predicting the formation of spots in the skin. This method is characterized by judging skin to be susceptible to spot formation in the case expression of genes consisting of MLSTD1, MOGAT1, FADS2, FADS1, HSD3B1, ELOVL3, BG1, PECR, FABP7, FA2H, HAO2, ALOX15B, PDE6A, LZTS1, SEC14L4, BAMBI, CIDEA, TERE1, GAL, THRSP, INSIG1 or CUTL2 in the epidermis is accelerated, or the expression of genes consisting of RBBP6, MSMB, WIF1, ANKRD12, FLG, SYNE2, SCEL, NKTR or AMBP in the epidermis is decreased as compared with normal expression in the epidermis.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and semiconductor circuit for providing a read operation in a NAND flash memory. The NAND flash memory includes an array of bit lines. The method includes selecting a first set of bit lines of the array of bit lines for performing the read operation. The first set of bit lines are pre-charged to a pre-defined voltage level. At the same time, a second set of bit line are also charged to the pre-defined voltage. The second set of bit lines are in anti-phase to the first set of bit lines. Further, reading of the first set of bit-lines is performed. The second set of bit lines is maintained at the pre-defined voltage level during the reading of the first set of bit lines.

Abstract: The invention features methods of promoting hair growth in a subject. The methods include inducing or mimicking the effects of Wnt promoted signal transduction, e.g., by increasing the level of Wnt protein or administering an agent which mimics an effect of Wnt promoted signal transduction, e.g., by administering lithium chloride. Methods of inhibiting hair growth are also provided.

Abstract: It is intended to provide a method of regenerating follicles which comprises inhibiting the expression of one or more genes capable of inhibiting follicle formation that are selected from the group consisting of S100a6, Ctgf, Gsto1, Gas6, Klf2, Thbs1 and Thbd, or promoting the expression of one or more genes capable of inducing follicle formation that are selected from the group consisting of Tgfbi, Gas1, Thbs2, Ifi202A, Bmp7, Efna1, Efna3, Cidea, Serping1, MS1, Irf6, Fmod and Fxyd4.

Abstract: The present invention provides a skin test method for predicting the formation of spots in the skin. This method judges skin to be susceptible to the formation of spots in the case expression in the epidermis of MCP-2 gene, a polynucleotide capable of hybridizing under highly stringent conditions to mouse AK012157 gene, human FLJ21763 gene or rat S74257 gene, or Mcp9, Mcp10, Isg15, Usp18, Oas12, Gbp2, Gtpi, Ifi47, Igtp, Tgtp, Sprr2A, Krt2-6b, Cdk5rap2, Mef2C, Gsta4, Osf2, Tnc, Igfbp6, Ppicap or Mm. 74656 gene, is increased as compared with normal expression in the epidermis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for preparing a hair dermal papilla cell preparation comprising preparing a cell suspension by removing epidermal tissue from skin tissue and subjecting the resulting dermal tissue fraction to collagenase treatment, and cyropreserving the cell suspension to kill the follicular epidermal cells. The present invention also provides a composition for regenerating hair follicles comprising hair dermal papilla cell and epidermal cells, wherein the ratio of the number of hair dermal papilla cell to the number of epidermal cells is from 1:10 to 10:1.