To many of us, our skin is one of the most important assets. Because the skin is a big deal, scientists spend plenty of time figuring out which factors cause skin disorders such as diseases or wrinkle formations with aging. So far it is concluded by scientists and other researchers that there is one gene discovered to be the affect of skin development. These genes are known as ‘CTIP2’ and its presence is vital. If there is an insufficient number of these genes or a lack of expression of these genes, the chances of experiencing skin disorders increase.
If the human body lacks the ‘CTIP2’ gene, the protective barrier (as displayed in the upper image) that surrounds the skin cells will not form at all. Without the barrier (shown in the lower image) the skin cannot develop to its highest potential which then consequently leaves the skin more vulnerable and defenseless against diseases and other aging factors such as wrinkle formation. The purpose is to allow maximum expression of these genes which then provides the cells with a barrier so that the cells can fight back against skin problems.
Scientists now have the knowledge to re-program cells in the sense that adult skin cells can be altered to embryonic stem cells. These stem cells have a higher hope of expressing these important genes than the normal skin cells will; although by no means is it guaranteed to work. Scientists are currently still discovering and upgrading methods that will take them one step closer every time to finding the most effective way of making these genes express very strongly.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/03/090324171608.htm
