Epidermal stem cells as targets for gene transfer

One of the characteristics of the epidermnis that makes it an attractive ti ssue for gene therapy is that it is renewed through proliferation of stem c ells. If the stem cells can be transduced with the gene of interest then ex pression of that gene should continue throughout adult life. This article d iscusses current research on epidermal stem cells, highlighting progress in their identification and in discovering the mechanisms that regulate exit from the stem cell compartment.