Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the observation that nestin expression is a marker for endothelial cell proliferation. Nestin expression is particularly useful as a marker for angiogenesis, particularly for tumor-related angiogenesis. Specifically, nestin serves as an excellent endothelium marker for brain tumors such as gliomas, hemangioblastomas, Schwannomas, medulloblastomas, and meningiomas. Accordingly, the disclosed invention relates to the use of this marker as a basis to model angiogenic activity.

Abstract: Hair follicle stem cells are isolated in a method which relies on the identification of stem cells as being small, spindle, oval or round shaped nestin-expressing cells that are located in the permanent upper part of telogen hair follicles below the sebaceous glands and in the bulge area.

Abstract: Hair follicle stem cells are isolated by virtue of understanding their location within the hair follicle during telogen phase.

Abstract: Hair follicle stem cells are isolated from mammals by isolating nestin-expressing cells. These hair follicle stem cells are a source of adult stem cells for autologous or heterologous stem cell therapy. The stem cells can be systemically implanted into the mammal or directly implanted into the organ. In addition, the stem cells may be further differentiated in vitro and then implanted systemically or directly into the mammal.

Abstract: A method to follow the progress of tumor treatment in subjects utilizes bacteria that have been modified to express a fluorescent protein. The method can also monitor expression of genes associated with the bacteria that produce therapeutic agents during the course of treatment, optionally against a background of fluorescence generated by the tumor itself. The method permits visualization of the progress of treatment in live subjects so that treatments can be modified according to their efficacy.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeted and specific delivery of beneficial compounds, including hair dyes, melanin, proteins, and nucleic acids for gene therapy, to hair follicle cells using liposomes encapsulating the beneficial compound. Particularly preferred methods describe delivery of hair dyes, melanin or tyrosinase to the hair follicle for the purpose of improving hair color or condition, the delivery of compounds which prevent alopecia or stimulate hair growth, either by encapsulating a compound in liposomes, or by encapsulating a nucleic acid capable of expressing a protein in liposomes. Also described are liposome compositions for practicing the methods.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to the observation that nestin expression is a marker for endothelial cell proliferation. Nestin expression is particularly useful as a marker for angiogenesis, particularly for tumor-related angiogenesis. Specifically, nestin serves as an excellent endothelium marker for brain tumors such as gliomas, hemangioblastomas, Schwannomas, medulloblastomas, and meningiomas. Accordingly, the disclosed invention relates to the use of this marker as a basis to model angiogenic activity.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating and monitoring alopecia by altering hair follicle cells to produce a cell cycle inhibitor is disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeted and specific delivery of beneficial compounds, including hair dyes, melanin, proteins, and nucleic acids for gene therapy, to hair follicle cells using liposomes encapsulating the beneficial compound. Particularly preferred methods describe delivery of hair dyes, melanin or tyrosinase to the hair follicle for the purpose of improving hair color or condition, the delivery of compounds which prevent alopecia or stimulate hair growth, either by encapsulating a compound in liposomes, or by encapsulating a nucleic acid capable of expressing a protein in liposomes. Also described are liposome compositions for practicing the methods.

Abstract: The invention provides a method to provide hair growth by stimulating extrusion of hair from a hair follicle which employs a liposomal formulation of an active ingredient which stimulates extrusion when taken up by the hair follicles.

Abstract: A method to follow the progress of tumor treatment in subjects utilizes bacteria that have been modified to express a fluorescent protein. The method can also monitor expression of genes associated with the bacteria that produce therapeutic agents during the course of treatment, optionally against a background of fluorescence generated by the tumor itself. The method permits visualization of the progress of treatment in live subjects so that treatments can be modified according to their efficacy.

Abstract: Hair follicle stem cells are isolated from mammals by isolating nestin-expressing cells. These hair follicle stem cells are a source of adult stem cells for autologous or heterologous stem cell therapy. The stem cells can be systemically implanted into the mammal or directly implanted into the organ. In addition, the stem cells may be further differentiated in vitro and then implanted systemically or directly into the mammal.

Abstract: A composition and method for treating and monitoring alopecia by altering hair follicle cells to produce a cell cycle inhibitor is disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for a native-state histoculturing system for skin are disclosed. Skin samples are placed on an extracellular support matrix immersed in a medium whereby the internal surface of the skin is adjacent to the matrix and the external surface is exposed above the surface of the medium and the skin maintained in the medium under skin culturing conditions. An extracellular support matrix comprising a collagen-containing gel and homopolysaccharide sponge or a combination matrix of a top layer of a collagen-containing gel and a bottom layer of a homopolysaccharide sponge is also disclosed. Skin toxicity, hair growth, anti-aging and anti-wrinkling assays utilizing the histoculturing system of the present invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method for targeted and specific delivery of beneficial compounds, including hair dyes, melanin, proteins, and nucleic acids for gene therapy, to hair follicle cells using liposomes encapsulating the beneficial compound. Particularly preferred methods describe delivery of hair dyes, melanin or tyrosinase to the hair follicle for the purpose of improving hair color or condition, the delivery of compounds which prevent alopecia or stimulate hair growth, either by encapsulating a compound in liposomes, or by encapsulating a nucleic acid capable of expressing a protein in liposomes. Also described are liposome compositions for practicing the methods.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to introduce a replacement pigment into the hair shaft through the hair follicle using a formulation of a replacement pigment in a liposomal composition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a methods and apparatuses for use in providing rapid, selective and effective targeted delivery of beneficial substances into hair follicles. The invention relies on the use of vibrational method of delivery of substances of different size from small molecules up to particles compatible with the diameter of hair strand into the hair bulb. The skin is subjected to the vibration of about 1 Hz to about 100 Hz frequency and 0.1 mm to about 10 mm amplitude, an amount which is sufficient to cause mechanical shifts in different directions of skin structure without damage. This results in follicle effective uptake of the tested substances such as carbon particles of different size as well as melanin. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are particularly useful in conjunction with photosensitive agents and electromagnetic irradiation. Such a combination is used to target the delivery of the agent to within hair follicles and then subsequently activate the agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method to specifically target hair follicles with formulations which effect the production of hair coloring pigments in the follicle. Liposomal formulations for this purpose are disclosed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods to deliver macromolecules to hair follicles selectively using formulations of these macromolecules in liposomal separations.

Abstract: Methods and compositions for a native-state histoculturing system for skin are disclosed. Skin samples are placed on an extracellular support matrix immersed in a medium whereby the internal surface of the skin is adjacent to the matrix and the external surface is exposed above the surface of the medium and the skin maintained in the medium under skin culturing conditions. An extracellular support matrix comprising a collagen-containing gel and homopolysaccharide sponge or a combination matrix of a top layer of a collagen-containing gel and a bottom layer of a homopolysaccharide sponge is also disclosed. Skin toxicity, hair growth, anti-aging and anti-wrinkling assays utilizing the histoculturing system of the present invention are also disclosed.