{
  "abstract": "Single-cell technologies have generated cell censuses of tissues, however, how tissue geometry reflects functional needs remains poorly characterized. The human pilosebaceous unit offers a tractable model, a prenatally-formed complex mini-organ combining hair and sebum production with a stem cell reservoir. Using histomorphology, spatial transcriptomics, and single-cell multiomics on the same human prenatal scalp skin samples (8-19 post-conception weeks), integrated and analyzed using machine learning approaches, we built a spatiotemporal map of pilosebaceous unit development. We demonstrate that epithelial-mesenchymal interactions coordinate cellular fate and organogenesis, using an in vitro hair-bearing skin organoid model to validate this tissue-patterning. In addition, we show sebaceous gland developmental programmes are overcome during tumor formation. Our large-scale multi-modal analysis provides a unique framework for understanding form and function of tissues with applications in tissue engineering and pathology.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Wellcome Sanger Institute"
  ],
  "article_type": "New results",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 38,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "E. Farr"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Kritikaki"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Chroscik"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Admane"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Graves"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Tudor"
    },
    {
      "name": "H. M. Chan"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Boccacino"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. McWilliam"
    },
    {
      "name": "F. Torabi"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Chakala"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Basurto-Lozada"
    },
    {
      "name": "T. Li"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Binkevich"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Predeus"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Prete"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Panamarova"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Adao"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Evans"
    },
    {
      "name": "K. Stewart"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Steele"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Winheim"
    },
    {
      "name": "N. H. Gopee"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Stephenson"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Patel"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Hale"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Gambardella"
    },
    {
      "name": "B. Harpur"
    },
    {
      "name": "C. Smith"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. Horsfall"
    },
    {
      "name": "V. Shanmugiah"
    },
    {
      "name": "L. Parts"
    },
    {
      "name": "D. J. Adams"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Kasper"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Dugourd"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Saez-Rodriguez"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. R. Foster"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "M. Haniffa"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/crf8x2jvvk02h.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.08.31.745265",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.745265v1.full",
  "id": "crf8x2jvvk02h",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.745265v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "biorxiv",
      "developmental biology"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2748|Hair Growth and Disorders"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7204861974",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.745265v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-08-31",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/crf8x2jvvk02h.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:18:13Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.08.31.745265",
      "source": "biorxiv",
      "url": "https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.08.31.745265v2"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "biology",
      "origin": "biorxiv:developmental biology",
      "subfield": "developmental-biology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Function-driven geometry directs human pilosebaceous unit development",
  "title_text": "Function-driven geometry directs human pilosebaceous unit development",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:21Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/crf8x2jvvk02h",
  "venue": "bioRxiv",
  "versions": []
}