Calling for volunteers

HELP PIONEER A NEW CELL TECHNOLOGY FOR BRAIN DISEASES

Skin2Neuron has developed new technology for generating neurons (brain cells) from scalp skin samples. This technology may have many potential applications, including for the future treatment of brain diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and others.

To date, we have tested this technology using small scalp samples from patients undergoing a hair transplant. However, we don’t yet know if this approach can apply to larger scalp samples, or to healthy volunteers.

We are therefore inviting adults with no hair health problems to donate a 12 x 1 cm strip of scalp skin from the back of their head.

The procedure is conducted by our collaborating hair transplant surgeon, and involves 1-2 hours in their clinic in Double Bay NSW. The surgeon will remove the skin strip under local anaesthetic and close the wound with sutures. The wound will not be cosmetically visible because the hair line will fall over it. It is expected that the wound will heal naturally within weeks leaving no visible trace. Mild pain may be experienced for 24 hours and can be treated with oral medication.

Volunteers will be reimbursed for their time and effort.

This project has received human ethics clearance by BellBerry (2020-11-1225). More information is available at www.skin2neuron.org/science .

If you are interested in contributing to this pioneering medical research, please contact project co-ordinator, Dr Adam Johnson on 0438 398 232 or ajohnson@skin2neuron.org