An Accidental
Discovery
In the world of research and development, some of the greatest
inventions can happen entirely by accident. That was the case
for one Tampa-based team of researchers, who discovered
a safe and effective means of permanent hair removal. But
that discovery was far from what the researchers had originally
intended to ind.
The research project was initiated several years ago by a team
at the University of South Florida (USF) led by Dr. Mark Jaroszeski.
In 2014, STEM Genesis, a company in the Tampa Bay Technology
Incubator, joined the team at USF, recognizing the project’s
potential commercial value. The collaboration continues today
with support from The Corridor’s Matching Grants Research
Program.
Initially, the team developed a device to enhance delivery of DNA
and other gene-based therapies for the treatment of skin cancer.
By emitting a harmless plasma, the technology applies a charged
stream of electrons to the surface of the skin, allowing cells to
become more permeable and likely to accept a particular drug or
therapeutic agent.
However, as the researchers were testing this process, they came
across an unexpected outcome—under certain treatment
conditions, hair in the treatment area didn’t grow back.
“It