Toward the isolation and culture of melanocyte stem cells

A new level of understanding of pigment cell biology and pathology will require the ability to culture and manipulate melanocyte stem cells (MCSCs) in vitro. In this issue, Nishikawa-Torikai et al. report progress toward this end. MCSCs isolated from mouse hair follicles can be expanded in vitro in a feeder-layer culture system. Application to human systems can be expected.