Nature Podcast These mysterious ridges could help skin regenerate
Feb 4, 2026
Ryan Driscoll, a skin researcher at Washington State University who studies rete ridges, talks about why pig skin is the best model for human skin. He explores links between rete ridges, hairlessness and skin thickness. He explains BMP signalling in ridge formation and discusses molecular blueprints and mouse models for regenerating these structures.
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Rete Ridges Are Their Own Skin Appendage Class
- The study shows rete ridges are a distinct class of skin appendage, not following hair or sweat gland development rules.
- That independence complicates but clarifies paths to manipulating them therapeutically.
Hairlessness And Rete Ridges: Cause Unknown
- Association between hairlessness and rete ridges doesn't prove causation for human hair loss.
- It's unclear whether hair loss preceded rete ridge development or vice versa.
Stinkweed Edited Into Profitable Cover Crop
- Genetic editing converted field pennycress into a useful winter crop by removing toxins and odour compounds.
- This can boost farm profitability and improve soil health and carbon sequestration.