The day may not be far when people with balding pates will have a permanent solution to their problem. Bradford University (UK) researchers have isolated hair cells from balding pates for the first time. (Spectrum, November-December 1995, No 249).

The research involves comparing test-tube cultures of cells from balding and non-balding sca.ps and zeroing in on the molecules whose production inhibits hair growth, or lack of which restricts hair growth. Researchers are convinced that the ultimate solution to baldness is in introducing the right type of genes into hair follicles.