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Science fair and alopecia
Hello,
My name is Devyn Napier and I am a senior in high school. I am extremely interested in the medical field and I attend an all academy school in Concord, Ca. I am in the Medical and Biotechnology Academy and I absolutely love it. I get to wear scrubs to school (so comfortable!) and I was awarded the opportunity to work in the emergency room of John Muir.
In my biological science research class this year, our project is to develop our own science fair experiment. I will then present my research and findings to a panel of judges at the cccsef for the opportunity to win scholarship money for college.
I was diagnosed with alopecia areata when I was three years old and have had it ever since (I am seventeen now), I figured there is nothing in the entire world I would rather experiment with than alopecia.
My plan is to prevent two proteins found in individuals who have alopecia. One (ULBP3) is located on a hair follicle and works as a signal. Now this signal does not normally go off, but, in people with alopecia it does. By doing so, it attracts an immune cell accompanied by the NKG2D protein. What happens here is what we are all familiar with as the autoimmune response.
I was planning on creating a solution to prevent them from binding in the first place. I want to alter their environment and pH and hopefully by doing so, I can prevent them from binding.
I am reaching out because I am in need of advice, opinions, concerns...
I have also reached out to a few dermatologists and was curious if anyone knew any experts on alopecia I could contact?
Any thoughts?
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Comment by readwrite62 on December 8, 2013 at 10:23pm
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http://techventures.columbia.edu/blog/profile/dr-angela-christiano-...
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/10/22/science/new-technique-holds-promi...
You should reach out to this Columbia U. prof. She has the condition. Good luck!
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Comment by Suzanne Kennedy on December 8, 2013 at 10:35pm
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Hey...that's so great! Good luck to you!
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Comment by AC from CA, USA on December 8, 2013 at 10:36pm
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Hi Devyn. There is an alopecia specialist near you who is currently doing research and has been doing so for awhile. Her research has been published and I think she would be a good resource. Her name is Paradi Mirmirani. Google her and you will see her credentials. Here's her contact info for the current study: http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pages/c12551-48357.html
Best,
Aimee
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Hi Devyn
I am a High School Chem Teacher and think this is a fantastic idea. It's great to know that there are progressive, forward thinking, positive young people with alopecia out there who are taking the bull by the horns and using their training to figure on how we can solve this problem of hair loss.
In terms of a Science Fair, how are you going to demonstrate inhibiting this protein's receptor? It sounds like something that practically would be quite difficult to successfully prove you have done? Or are you making it more theory based? In which case animations would be good I guess?
I think this sounds fascinating and I would love to hear how you get on with it....
Good luck!
Marie
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Hi Devyn, Good Luck and hopefully we will all be ready your discovery on this blog. There is a leading dermatologist in San Francisco that I saw about 12 years ago. I am so
rry I don't know her name anymore but am sure you could google her easy enough.
again good luck
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Comment by Dielle on December 8, 2013 at 11:42pm
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Dr. Jerry Shapiro is one of the leading dermatologists and focuses exclusively on alopecia. He could be a great resource, he is based in New York.
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Comment by TallGuy on December 8, 2013 at 11:54pm
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It's been a very long time, but have you reached to Dr. Vera Price in San Francisco?
She was my doctor as a kid...I think the world of her, she is very well known in Alopecia circles :)
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Comment by Liz on December 9, 2013 at 3:00am
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Hi Devyn,
Check out these links to information on Gluten. I’ve read a few posts on this site from alopecians who say they have grown hair back by eliminating gluten from their diet. I recently went on a gluten free diet and have grown 10 hairs!3 years ago, I lost all of my hair so for me, it’s hopeful that my hair follicles are waking up. I don’t know if it’s from a gluten free diet or that I’ve added nutritious food to my diet or both but I've added Quinoa and Chia seeds, mushrooms and am eating more vegetables and fruit. I feel so much better and I’m going continue this diet for life. It makes great sense to me.Here’s a couple of links and info on how I’ve become convinced of the effects of gluten.
Dr. Glidden - Against the Grain, Why Gluten is Bad
Chris Kresser http://chriskresser.com/the-gluten-thyroid-connection
I recently watched these 3 shows on PBS on Nutrition and believe it to be life changing!
David Perlmutter, MD - Brain Change (Effects of Wheat, Sugar & Carbohydrates on the Brain)
Deepak Chopra - What Are You Hungry For?
Dr. Joel Fuhrman - 3 Steps to Incredible Health
Another bit of info I heard that's stayed with me is an acronym called GOMBS (like comb with a g) to eat everyday to prevent cancer and for overall good health.
It stands for:
Greens
Onions
Mushrooms
Beans
Seeds
I hope you find this information helpful. Good luck with your research!
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Hi devyn im sarah from the UK ive been taking biotin dht blocker and silicea gel for skin hair and nails together and in the last couple of weeks my hair is gradually stopping to fall out and the terrible itching has stopped
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I was seen at Vanderbilt university in 1987. They were doing research at the time . I was one of the first patients to use minoxidil (at the back door of the pharmacy). May you be blessed with everything you want to achieve in life! Your on your way !
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