Four-dimensional molecular mapping from a spatial snapshot reveals the dynamics of hair follicle organogenesis.

A four-dimensional molecular map of hair follicle organogenesis reveals dynamic developmental processes in neonatal mouse skin.

• Why it matters: Understanding how organs form at the molecular level over time is crucial for insights into developmental biology and potential regenerative therapies. Current methods lack the ability to capture both spatial and temporal molecular information simultaneously in intact tissues.
• What they did: Using 3D DNase-Enhanced Expression Profiling (3DEEP), a tissue-clearing technique that removes DNA to enhance spatial transcriptomics, the study analyzed hundreds of hair follicles in neonatal mice, inferring their developmental ages from a single spatial snapshot to create a comprehensive 3D + time map.
• The result: The resulting molecular map uncovered key developmental dynamics, including stem cell stratification and structural transformations, and revealed delayed and disrupted development in Foxn1-deficient nude mice, advancing understanding of organ formation mechanisms.