IVIC investigates regenerative therapy with hair follicle cells

Published at: 26/08/2026 10:39 AM

The Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research (IVIC) develops skin regeneration therapy based on hair follicle stem cells, through the Center for Regenerative Medicine, in order to accelerate wound healing and treat burns.

The researcher Bélgica Molina is leading the project, which is now two years old and uses mesenchymal stromal cells obtained from the hair follicle. “The hair follicle represents an efficient, less invasive and easily accessible alternative, as it can be obtained through simple procedures such as extraction or hair removal,” explained the specialist.

The method consists of extracting stem cells from the prominence of the follicle using the explant technique. Molina noted that experiments suggest that these cells release growth factors that accelerate healing; the process is currently being standardized in animals to ensure safety and efficacy before future clinical protocols.

Mazo News Team