Discovered the gene that indicated curly hair

Australian scientists found that the gene makes human hair curly or straight. The discovery could pave the way for the creation of hair straightening drugs.

According to the Telegraph, many previous studies have shown that if a person has curly hair the likelihood of that hair being passed down to the next generation is about 90%. More than 20 years ago, scientists knew a gene called trichohyalin was involved in the development of hair follicles.

Professor Nick Martin - director of the Center for Experimental Genetic Translations of Queensland Medical Research Institute - and a partner, Dr. Sarah Medland, studied the presence of trichohyalin gene in European body. . They found that 15% of Europeans own curly hair, 40% have wavy hair and 45% have straight hair.

Martin thinks that trichohyalin has two versions, in which a version makes curly hair. To prove, Martin that Medland analyzed data of 5,000 twins in Australia.

By comparing the genetic map of the study subjects, the two experts found that curly twins have a trichohyalin version, while straight hair pairs carry the other gene version.

Martin said his findings could lead to drugs that replace heat straighteners.

'We can develop new therapies to make our hair more curly or straight , ' he said.

According to Telegraph, new findings help us predict whether a child will have straight or curly hair. However, forensic and criminal investigations will be the first area to benefit from Martin's research. In murders or theft, forensic experts can analyze DNA samples that the perpetrator left at the scene to identify suspects with curly or straight hair.

'We have the ability to guess the suspect's hair, eyes and skin color. So guessing that their hair is curly or straight will make the sketch of the suspect portrait more accurate , 'Martin said.

The study was published in the American Journal of Human Genetics.