Lainson first went to the tropics in 1960 as director of the Dermal Leishmaniasis Unit in British Honduras (now Belize).
They decided that some (presumably male) have special bony claspers that would, when the animal was alive, have held a female close for mating, while others (presumably female) have dermal plates corresponding to these claspers that would have allowed their paramours to get a good grip.
That observation is only useful, though, if you can multiply dermal papilla cells and do so in a way that allows them to keep their ability to induce hair growth.
For, in normal culture, dermal papilla cells quickly lose this sought-after ability.This, says Nick Higgins, Intercytex's boss, has taxed scientists for years.
Their dermal papilla cells have been extracted, multiplied and re-injected into their scalps.
The female's dermal plates stick straight out behind her, while the male's claspers curve away from the centre-line of his body.In those modern fish that do copulate (there are some, including all sharks), claspers of one sort or another are commonplace, since female fish are slippery individuals.
In 2007, sales of botox, dermal implants and breast implants were all growing at strong double-digit rates.
This year, in America, botox and dermal implants have continued to soar whilst sales of breast implants have been, well, flat.
The firm's technique exploits the regenerative properties of what are known as dermal papilla cells.
On November 21st, the FDA's advisory panel on plastic surgery was expected to consider recommending approval of a new group of "dermal fillers"—injectible products designed to restore youthful firmness to tissue lost as skin components break down with age.
With significant market share in botox, dermal implants, breast implants and gastric bands (to reduce appetite), his firm is booming, especially outside America.Admittedly, he has seen interesting evidence of a slowdown in America.
