We are a major player and market leader in the consumer health & beauty industry, with a portfolio that spans multiple channels, demographics and categories. We are seeking a preclinical/in vitro screening system to investigate estrogen pathway-modulating entities such as natural ingredients, compounds, or extracts/botanicals.
Observations of hair patterns in female life during pregnancy, postpartum, and menopause have shown that estrogen dysregulation has significant effects on hair loss. Estrogen binds to receptors on the hair follicles, affecting the hair growth cycle, yet the exact alteration of the hair cycle remains unclear. Literature has shown that during phases when estrogen is high, such as during pregnancy, hair growth increases and hair loss decreases. The opposite can occur during menopause, when there is a relative increase in androgens compared to declining estrogen levels. These androgens can influence hair follicles, contributing to hair loss.
There are many known compounds and botanicals that may affect the estrogenic pathway, increasing and/or balancing the levels of estrogen in the body. We are seeking to identify such compounds and/or botanicals that may impact the secretion/modulation of estrogen. We are also interested in assays capable of quantifying the expression of molecules in the estrogenic pathway.
We are looking for a high throughput screening system/model to identify compounds and botanicals that impact estrogen modulation. The system should quantify estrogen pathway molecule expression, enzyme inhibition, activation, metabolism, activity reduction, and/or gene expression modulation.
Model(s) capable of screening for estrogenic modulation, estrogens/phytoestrogens, and estrogenic molecules.
Model(s) must be capable of screening a wide variety of chemicals in order to identify optimal/beneficial ingredients for use in supplements, topical consumer products, personal care ingredients and/or extracts/botanicals.
Provide a high-level experimental plan with timelines to outline your approach/key milestones.
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