Archives March 2025

By-Thejus Shivarama Founder & CEO, Juliet and 2Moons

“Race with cheetahs, not with horses.”

Thejus Shivarama, Founder and CEO of Juliet and 2Moons, has carved a niche for himself in the hospitality industry through sheer determination, passion, and resilience. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Alliance University, his love for food and networking has been the driving force behind his entrepreneurial journey.

His first venture, Serene Mist Resort, a 9-key boutique property nestled in a Chikmagalur coffee estate, set the foundation for his hospitality career. His natural inclination towards hosting and making people feel at home has seamlessly translated into his later ventures—Juliet and 2Moons.

Now, Thejus is venturing into his next project—Minx, a craft cocktail club that aims to be Bangalore’s first true cocktail club, differentiating itself from the many cocktail bars in the city. His inspiration stems from the deep belief that food and drinks connect people, creating cherished memories that last a lifetime.

A Customer-First Approach
Thejus identifies a significant gap in the market—hospitality brands often remain rigid in their offerings, whereas he believes in flexibility and customer satisfaction above all. If a guest at an Asian restaurant craves curd rice or rasam rice, he ensures they get it. This customer-centric approach sets his brands apart, ensuring that every guest leaves with a smile.

Hard Lessons & Overcoming Adversity
His journey in the industry wasn’t smooth. As a newcomer, he faced numerous challenges, including being misled by consultants who took advantage of his inexperience, leading to financial setbacks. In the initial phase, he unknowingly made costly mistakes, overspending on unnecessary things due to misplaced trust. However, with time, he learned to discern the right people to work with and gained a firm grasp of operational needs.

One of his biggest hurdles was a three-month project delay, during which he had to cover salaries and rent before even opening. Further financial strain came from consultants over-ordering everything—cutlery, crockery, and food trial expenses—causing purchases to skyrocket by 200%. Despite these struggles, Thejus has emerged stronger, building his business on personal connections and a deep understanding of customer needs.

Building a Hospitality Powerhouse
Under his leadership, Thejus has successfully built the Boho Sunsets IP, the only true sundowner experience in Bangalore. From an initial perception of being a brand that wouldn’t last six months, Juliet and 2Moons have now cemented their place among the top three hospitality brands in Bangalore’s Central Business District (CBD). Thejus and his team have defied the odds, proving that love, personal connections, and customer satisfaction are stronger than industry skepticism.

Vision for the Future
Thejus believes in keeping things simple—sticking to what his team does best and giving guests what they truly want. Rather than following industry trends or competitors, he focuses on his own strengths and continuously improves based on customer feedback. His company thrives by personalizing the guest experience, ensuring that every visit is memorable.

Leadership Philosophy
Rejecting traditional corporate management styles, Thejus fosters a culture of freedom and learning within his team. He encourages his staff—both Front of House (FOH) and Back of House (BOH)—to take ownership of their work, make mistakes, and learn from them. His role is to guide and mentor, stepping in only when absolutely necessary. This empowerment has built a strong and resilient team, which he considers his greatest asset.

Staying Ahead of the Competition
For Thejus, the best way to stay ahead is not by keeping tabs on competitors but by staying true to his brand’s strengths and customer expectations. Customization and guest-centric service remain his core differentiators. His personal mantra, “Race with cheetahs, not with horses,” embodies his belief in setting his own pace and redefining the hospitality experience on his own terms.

New Delhi, India – 18th March 2025 : TERN Group, a pioneering AI-driven Healthcare recruitment and migration platform, in collaboration with public sector partners in Germany and India, has successfully concluded its latest TERN Talent Tour, creating career opportunities for Indian nurses in Germany. This initiative is under the goal of Germany Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Honorable PM Narendra Modi’s Skill India Mission to accelerate bilateral ties and Indo-German partnership for skilled workforce development and creating ethical and safe migration pathways for Indian talents to Germany.

This further strengthens TERN’s mission to bridge the global healthcare workforce gap by providing seamless, structured pathways for skilled professionals seeking international placements.

The Talent Tour, held in Frankfurt, Berlin, Munich, and Düsseldorf, flew down over 100 nurses from all over the world including India on a fully paid trip, to visit the top German hospitals through direct interviews, leading to immediate job placements and addressing Germany’s urgent demand for skilled healthcare professionals.

Avinav Nigam, Founder and CEO, TERN Group, and Advisor Global Markets to National Skills Development Corporation stated: “The TERN Talent Tour has been a transformative experience, enabling Indian nurses to access overseas job opportunities while addressing Germany’s healthcare shortages. Through AI-driven, ethical recruitment, we are making international hiring more efficient and transparent, ensuring long-term success for both professionals and employers. We are now the largest player from India supporting German healthcare needs” With its rapid growth nearing 100 crores in annualised sales this quarter, TERN Group plans to continue expanding its recruitment offering to North Africa, Central Asia, Malaysia and Philippines further strengthening its role as a global leader in ethical healthcare hiring with its unique AI platform-first approach.

Over 30 of the leading German healthcare employers participated in recruitment sessions, strengthening global workforce mobility. Building on this success, the February 2025 roadshow will expand its scope by aligning nursing talent from North Africa and Central Asia with Germany’s healthcare needs.

This initiative aims to bridge workforce gaps, foster bilateral partnerships, and facilitate immediate hiring. Next in Berlin, key stakeholders including healthcare providers, government representatives, and recruitment partners will engage in discussions on workforce challenges, ethical recruitment, and cultural adaptation. These dialogues will ensure a sustainable, globally integrated healthcare workforce, reinforcing international cooperation in addressing healthcare staffing shortages.

TERN’s AI-powered recruitment platform eliminates inefficiencies, ensuring an optimal match between Indian talent and overseas employers. Nurses receive structured B1/B2 German language training through institutes like the renowned Goethe Institut, along with AI-driven screening for direct job matching. TERN fully sponsors visa processing, travel, accommodation, and meals, ensuring a smooth transition. Cultural and professional integration sessions further prepare nurses for workplace expectations, healthcare protocols, and cultural norms in Germany.

Talents are not charged anything for the entire process, and the cost of lakhs of rupees is borne by TERN, which is unheard of in job migration – an industry with lots of scammers and illegal players.

The event also strengthened bilateral workforce mobility efforts, with participation and input from key officials from the Federal Health Ministry of Germany, the Health Ministry of Bavaria, and the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) of India. TERN’s partnerships with organizations like the Trained Nurses’ Association of India (TNAI) and Indo-German Young Leaders’ Forum (IGYLF) further reinforce its commitment to ethical recruitment and career advancement for healthcare professionals.

India’s job crisis demands urgent action for economic growth and stability. With over 65% of the population under 35 and over 10 crores unemployed or ‘hidden unemployed’, overseas job creation and ethical pathways are more crucial than ever. Collaboration and skill development can transform the workforce. Public-private partnerships must align training with industry needs, while vocational and digital skills in AI, data analytics, and manufacturing can future-proof jobs. By integrating skill development with cross-sector collaboration, India can harness its demographic dividend for long-term resilience and progress.

When it comes to fashion, Farhana Bodi knows how to make a statement. Whether she’s gracing the red carpet or attending an exclusive soirée, her accessories are always on point. One thing that truly sets her apart? Her collection of uniquely designed handbags. From whimsical shapes to dazzling embellishments, Farhana’s bags are just as eye-catching as her outfits. Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable pieces from her collection and how she styled them.

1. The Camera Bag – Picture-Perfect Glam

Farhana turned heads with this quirky yet stylish camera-shaped bag. Pairing it with a timeless little black dress (LBD), she effortlessly balanced playful charm with classic elegance. The bag’s intricate details and vintage aesthetic made it a standout piece, proving that accessories can tell a story just as much as an outfit can.

2. The Rose Bag – A Blooming Beauty

For a Royal Tea Party-themed event, Farhana chose a breathtaking rose-shaped bag encrusted with shimmering stones. She complemented the romantic, floral-inspired accessory with a dreamy pink gown, exuding an air of regal sophistication. The delicate craftsmanship of the bag perfectly matched the ethereal vibe of her look, making it a true fashion fairytale.

3. The Cake Bag – Sweet and Stylish

Nothing says celebration like a statement cake bag! For her pre-birthday party, Farhana embraced the spirit of the occasion with a dazzling golden dress adorned with intricate stones. The cake-shaped bag added a fun yet ultra-glam touch, making her outfit a delicious feast for the eyes. Talk about a perfect party accessory!

4. The Horse Bag – Bold and Daring

Farhana loves to take risks with her fashion choices, and this horse-shaped bag is proof of that. She styled it with a striking red latex dress, bringing together avant-garde elegance and high-fashion drama. The sculptural design of the bag added an artistic edge to her look, solidifying her reputation as a true style maven.

5. The Martini Bag – Shaken, Not Stirred

For her James Bond-themed birthday bash, Farhana’s choice of a martini-shaped bag was nothing short of perfection. Inspired by 007’s signature drink, this glittering accessory added a touch of cinematic glamour to her already show-stopping look. Her outfit blended seamlessly with the event’s ‘Secret Agents Meet Bond Girls’ theme, proving once again that she knows how to accessorize with flair.

Bengaluru, 18th March 2025: Hypergro.ai, an innovative AI-powered video generation and conversion platform, has secured INR 7 crore in a Pre-Series A funding round led by Eternal Capital. Other marquee investors such as Silver Needle Ventures, VCats, and Astir Ventures have also participated in the round. The funding will accelerate Hypergro’s AI innovation and global expansion, strengthening its position as a leader in AI-powered marketing automation.

Founded in 2022 by Rituraj Biswas and Neha Soman and headquartered in Bengaluru, Hypergro.ai is solving fundamental inefficiencies in digital marketing—manual execution, fragmented data, and lack of real-time intelligence. The company’s AI-driven platform automates video generation, optimizes performance campaigns, and engages leads through AI-powered sales agents, allowing brands to execute marketing strategies at an unprecedented scale.

In breakthrough milestones, the platform has achieved and delivered 92% faster video production—at 80% lesser cost—compared to traditional methods. In addition, Hypergro.ai offers AI-automated video personalisation and adjustments of aspect ratios and formats, thereby addressing brands’ needs for audience- and geography-specific tailored video content and multi-platform video optimisation, as they operate at scale.

This funding comes at a time when enterprises are rapidly adopting AI-driven automation for revenue growth. Hypergro.ai is expanding aggressively into global markets, including the US, APAC, and GCC, while investing heavily in AI R&D, strategic hiring, and enterprise partnerships to establish itself as the category leader.

Speaking on the fundraise, Rituraj Biswas, Co-founder & CEO of Hypergro.ai, said, “At Hypergro.ai, we combine AI-driven content generation, real-time campaign optimization, and automated lead engagement into a single intelligent system. This ensures brands drive maximum revenue impact with minimal effort.”

Dhruv Dhanraj Bahl, Founder & Managing Partner of Eternal Capital, added, “AI is fundamentally transforming how brands engage with audiences, and videos are and will remain at the heart of this evolution. Hypergro.ai is pioneering a shift from slow, resource-intensive video production to an AI-powered storytelling engine that is scalable and cost-efficient. In an increasingly digital-first world, Hypergro’s technology is not just an advantage—it’s a necessity for brands. We are confident in the founding team’s vision and are excited to partner with them as they scale globally.”

Looking forward, Hypergro.ai is setting the stage for its Series A funding round in the next 6-8 months, aiming to deepen AI integration in enterprise ad-tech solutions—with a vision to become the global ERP for AI in marketing by 2027. The company currently serves brands across e-commerce, retail, entertainment, gaming, travel, and hospitality, working with leading names like ClearTrip, Newton School, Gameskraft, and Docube, among others.

Gurugram: According to PropEquity, Gurugram housing market experienced strong demand for luxury housing units in 2024, where the sales rose by 66% to approximately Rs 1.07 lakh crore. In Delhi NCR, the sales value of residential units rose by 63% to 1,53,000 units from 94,143 units.

As per the data, Gurugram’s housing sales rose from 64,314 units to 1,06,739 units in 2023.

This significant growth in Gurugram’s housing market, specifically in the luxury segment can be attributed to multiple key factors. The city’s strategic location and ongoing infrastructure developments, including Dwarka Expressway, Delhi – Gurugram expressway, Delhi – Mumbai expressway, and new metro route plans enhance connectivity to Delhi and other significant areas. These developments have made the city an attractive destination for luxury homebuyers.

Mr. Mohit Malhotra, Founder & CEO, NeoLiv said, “Gurugram has emerged as a prominent housing market, with 66% growth in sales value, as per PropEquity. This has been seen due to growing corporate presence, employment opportunities, and infrastructure development. As a result, demand and property prices have increased in various micro markets of Gurugram. Infrastructure projects like Dwarka Expressway, Delhi – Mumbai Expressway, and Golf Course Road have proved to contribute to this growth. Along with expressways and highways, metro routes have also been planned for better connectivity to prominent locations. Gurugram is a prime example of how new age cities close to major metros become a thriving hub and provide premium lifestyle living. Hubs like Alibaug, Panvel around Mumbai and Sohna, Sonipat, Jewar around Delhi are poised to emerge as clear front runners for attracting mega real estate investment and returns.”

Additionally, as a major corporate hub with numerous MNCs and businesses, Gurugram attracts a growing number of professional population looking for premium residential options. The demand for luxury housing remains robust, which is driven by high – net – worth individuals (HNIs) and non – resident Indians (NRIs) seeking exclusive living spaces offering suitability and a basket of amenities.

Mr. Adil Altaf, Managing Director, Trinity Infratech said, “According to PropEquity, the Gurugram housing market is experiencing strong demand with sales growing by 66%. The city’s real estate market has witnessed a remarkable surge in 2024, with luxury housing sales rising by 66% to approximately Rs 1.07 lakh crore. This growth is driven by the city’s strategic location and ongoing infrastructure developments, such as the Dwarka Expressway and Delhi-Mumbai Expressway. As a major corporate hub, Gurugram attracts professionals seeking premium living spaces. The demand for luxury properties remains robust, fueled by high-net-worth individuals and NRIs. With developers focusing on upscale projects, Gurugram has emerged as a leader in India’s luxury real estate sector, surpassing cities like Mumbai in ultra-luxury housing deals”

In the broader Delhi NCR landscape, these factors have contributed to an overall growth in sales of residential units. This has been underpinned by the region’s ability to offer a blend of luxury, infrastructure, and investment opportunities, which has placed it as a leading catalyst in the Indian real estate sector.

Mr. Robin Pahuja, Co- founder & Director, ElitePro Infra(Gurugram based Property Consultant) says, “Gurugram’s housing market experienced significant growth in 2024, specifically in the luxury segment, with sales rising by 66% to around 1.07 lakh crore, as per PropEquity. This growth number is attributed to the city’s strategic location, ongoing infrastructure developments like the Dwarka Expressway, and its status as a major corporate hub. The demand for luxury housing is highly driven by high – net – worth – individuals (HNIs) and non – resident Indians (NRIs) looking for premium living spaces. The city’s appeal as a business center attracts professionals, further driving demand for high – end properties in the commercial segment as well. This further gives way to the city’s commercial landscape, with a growth in establishment of luxury showrooms, retail spaces, and offices. Improved connectivity and infrastructure makes it an attractive destination for luxury investors, contributing to its robust growth in the real estate segment.”

Regulatory frameworks like RERA have also improved transparency and investor confidence, further boosting the market. Along with this, rising disposable incomes and growing lifestyle aspirations among homebuyers have added to the demand for high – end properties, making Delhi NCR at the forefront of the Indian real estate landscape a thriving real estate market.

The real estate market will further experience a surge in new supply, with the new government in place in Delhi introducing various plans and reforms. The Master Plan of Delhi (MPD) 2041 will likely show some positive trends. It emphasizes on sustainable urban development, which gives way to better infrastructure and housing, which will open significant opportunities for developers and homebuyers. Moreover, the Union Budget 2025 has allocated funds for infrastructure projects and urban transformation, including the Rs 1 lakh crore Urban Challenge Fund and interest – free loans to states. Such measures, combined with tax reforms and better liquidity are likely to boost housing demand with new projects launched in Delhi NCR.

Vijaybhoomi University is proud to announce the successful completion of its 6th Convocation Ceremony, celebrating the achievements of its graduating students. The ceremony, held on March 11th, was graced by the presence of esteemed Chief Guest Mr. Uday Vishwanath Deshpande, an Indian Mallakhamb coach and Padma Shri awardee, renowned for his contribution to the sport of Mallakhamb at a global level.

The convocation was attended by President Mr. Sanjay Padode, Member of Board Ms. Kalpana Padode, and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Ravikesh Srivastava, along with distinguished faculty members, staff, and students. The event marked the graduation of 16 students, comprising 13 from The True School of Music (TSM) and 3 from the Vijaybhoomi School of Design.

Special honors were awarded to Ms. Nayak Neeha (Design) and Mr. Yuvrajvijay Bhatia (TSM) with the prestigious Dean’s Medal, recognizing their outstanding academic and creative contributions. The university takes immense pride in the accomplishments of its students, particularly those who have secured promising career opportunities and entrepreneurial ventures.

Reflecting on the university’s journey, Vice Chancellor Dr. Ravikesh Srivastava highlighted major institutional advancements, including the granting of UGC 2(f) status and new academic collaborations with KEDGE Business School, France, which will allow Vijaybhoomi University to offer UG and PG degrees internationally.

Dr. Srivastava also emphasized the institution’s commitment to holistic development, with initiatives such as the Personality Enhancement Program, Social Immersion Program, and Kanyathon 2024 & 2025 Series, fostering a culture of social responsibility among students.

In his keynote address, the Vice Chancellor shared an inspiring message with the graduating students:

“Appo deepo bhava”—Be your own light. Never stop learning, for each day is a new chapter—bringing fresh colors, new opportunities, and, above all, deeper wisdom. Remember, the pursuit of knowledge is a lifelong journey, and true success lies in your ability to adapt, innovate, and inspire others along the way.”

Grapevine, TX., March 18, 2025 — By 2028, more than 20% of digital workplace applications will use AI-driven personalization algorithms to generate adaptive experiences for the worker, according to Gartner, Inc.

Digital workers satisfied with work applications are nearly three times more likely to report being much more productive compared with those who are not satisfied. Yet, a Gartner survey of 5,141 employees conducted from April through July of 2024 found that only 23% of digital workers are completely satisfied with their work applications in 2024, down from 30% in 2022.

“The apps used for work should feel as intuitive and empowering as the most popular consumer apps,” said Tori Paulman, VP Analyst at Gartner. “That’s exactly what employees are craving—a seamless, personalized, and omnichannel digital experience that mirrors the ease and consistency of mainstream consumer applications.

“Yet, over the past ten years, the gap between consumer and enterprise app experiences has widened. Many work applications remain isolated, inconsistent, and rigid, leaving much to be desired in terms of user experience,” said Paulman.

To enhance workplace applications and bridge the gap with consumer-like experiences, technology leaders should take five direct actions:

• Implement Best Practices: Focus on AI-driven personalization within workplace applications. These tools should analyze workstyles to provide personalized insights, prioritize tasks, and automate workflows, all tailored to enhance each employee’s productivity.
• Ensure Transparency: Clearly communicate how digital workplace algorithms function and adhere to ethical guidelines. Detail the decision-making processes and implement strong data privacy and security measures to protect employee information and build trust.
• Prioritize Key Outcomes: Identify critical business goals, such as improving customer service first-call resolution. Determine which employee roles will benefit most from AI-driven personalization and explore how adaptive user experiences can reduce friction and boost productivity.
• Define Clear Requirements: During vendor selection, prioritize applications that feature AI-driven adaptive user interfaces, personalized task management, and designs centered around the employee experience to ensure intuitive and effective tools.
• Monitor and Adapt: Regularly assess the effectiveness of AI-driven personalization. Collect employee feedback and make continuous improvements to ensure these tools align with evolving employee needs and organizational objectives.

“In the realm of digital workplace applications, these algorithms can be game-changers for productivity by understanding and observing workers’ behavior, preferences, and past interactions to provide crafted recommendations,” said Paulman. “The power of these algorithms brings valuable insights to the surface, streamlines information, prioritizes tasks for workers, and even automates workflows to save time and make core work easier.”

Hyderabad, 18 March 2025 – Botanic Healthcare, a global leader in the nutraceutical sector and a manufacturer and exporter of premium herbal extracts, reinforces its commitment to sustainability by ethically sourcing and producing Berberis aristata (Kashmal). The company’s trademark products, BerBix™ and BERMAX™, reflect its dedication to environmentally responsible operations while strengthening regional economies and contributing to the global herbal market.

 The company has signed an Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) agreement with the Himachal Pradesh Department of Biodiversity, ensuring sustainable and legal extraction practices. Recognized for its role in regulating blood sugar, improving lipid metabolism, and enhancing cardiovascular health, BerBix™ is a key offering in the company’s product portfolio. Complementing this is BERMAX™, an advanced liposomal berberine formulation designed to improve bioavailability and absorption.

 Established in 2013, Botanic Healthcare is driving the global recognition of Indian Ayurveda through innovative nutraceutical formulations. Its manufacturing facility in Bilaspur, Himachal Pradesh, specializes in extracting Berberis aristata, valued for its bioactive alkaloid, berberine, known for multiple health benefits.

 Committed to sustainability, the company adheres to the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) framework, ensuring the legal and responsible extraction of Berberis aristata while paying required ABS fees to support biodiversity conservation.

 Botanic Healthcare’s BerBix™ is a high-purity berberine extract (70% and 97% berberine hydrochloride) that meets stringent EU and USP standards. BERMAX™, an advanced liposomal berberine, undergoes rigorous testing for stability, ensuring optimal absorption and efficacy.

 Supporting over 1,000 farmers in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi and Barot valleys, the company sources approximately 8,000 MT of raw material annually, guaranteeing fair pricing and employment opportunities while reinforcing its commitment to environmental and socio-economic sustainability.

 “As the global demand for berberine-based products continues to rise, with projections estimating the market to reach USD 4.22 billion by 2033, Botanic Healthcare is strategically positioned to capitalize on this expanding opportunity. Our flagship products, BerBix™ and BERMAX™, are integral to shaping the future of India’s herbal industry,” said Mr. Gaurav Soni, Founder & Managing Director of Botanic Healthcare.

 “At Botanic Healthcare, we remain committed to sustainability and responsible sourcing, adhering to legal and ethical practices. By doing so, we not only contribute to the global health market but also foster the long-term growth and global competitiveness of India’s herbal industry,” added Mr. Madhu Krishnamani, Founder and Managing Director of Botanic Healthcare.

March 18, 2025: Newcastle University researchers, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and their collaborators utilized single-cell sequencing and other genomic techniques to develop an atlas and gain insights into the formation of human skin, including hair follicles.

These findings hold potential for applications in regenerative medicine, such as creating new hair follicles and improving skin transplant procedures for burn victims.

Published in in Nature, the study also involved creating a skin “mini organ” in a dish capable of growing hair. By using this organoid, the researchers demonstrated the significant role immune cells play in scar-free skin repair, paving the way for clinical advancements to prevent scarring after surgery or enable scarless healing following injuries.

‘Exciting strides’ being made

As part of the Human Cell Atlas initiative, which aims to map all cell types in the human body to revolutionize the understanding of health and disease, researchers have provided a molecular “recipe” for constructing skin and developed a new organoid model to study congenital skin disorders.

The skin, the body’s largest organ, spans an average of two square meters. It serves as a protective barrier, regulates body temperature, and possesses self-regenerative capabilities. Skin develops in the sterile environment of the womb, with all hair follicles forming before birth. Although follicles undergo cycles after birth, no new ones are created. Remarkably, before birth, the skin can heal wounds without leaving scars.

Studying human skin development has been challenging due to key differences in animal models. Researchers within the Human Cell Atlas project are working to unravel how skin is constructed, including the spatial and temporal dynamics of cells and the influence of genetics. This understanding could shed light on how specific mutations lead to congenital skin conditions, such as blistering disorders and scaly skin.

Dr Hudaa Gopee, co-first author from Newcastle University, said: “We’re excited to have made a skin organoid model that grows hair. In this process, we uncovered a new, important role of immune cells in promoting the growth of blood vessels in developing skin tissue, which could help improve other organoid models. These immune cells, called macrophages, also appear to play a key part in scarless skin repair in prenatal skin. Our findings could inform clinical advances to avoid scarring after surgery.”

In this groundbreaking study, researchers from Newcastle University, the Wellcome Sanger Institute, and their collaborators created the first single-cell and spatial atlas of human prenatal skin.

The team analyzed prenatal skin tissue samples by breaking them down to study individual cells in suspension and examining cells within their native tissue environment. They employed advanced single-cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics to investigate cellular changes over time and space, focusing on the processes governing skin and hair follicle development. The study detailed the steps involved in human hair follicle formation and highlighted differences from mouse hair follicles.

Using adult stem cells, the researchers developed a skin “mini organ,” or organoid, capable of growing hair. They compared the molecular profiles of these organoids to prenatal and adult skin, finding that the organoid model closely resembled prenatal skin.

The study revealed that blood vessels in the organoid were underdeveloped compared to prenatal skin. By introducing immune cells known as macrophages into the organoid, the researchers found that these cells significantly enhanced blood vessel formation. The team used 3D imaging to examine this vascular development in detail.

While macrophages are known to defend the skin against infections, this research is the first to show their crucial role in early human skin development by supporting blood vessel growth. This discovery opens new possibilities for improving vascularization in other tissue organoids.

‘Amazing clinical potential’

This study provides a detailed molecular “recipe” for the formation of human skin and hair follicles. These findings could pave the way for regenerative medicine applications, including the creation of new hair follicles for skin transplants to treat burn victims or individuals with scarring alopecia.

The atlas of prenatal human skin developed in the study will help pinpoint the specific cells where genes linked to congenital hair and skin disorders, such as blistering and scaly skin conditions, are active or expressed. The researchers discovered that these disorder-associated genes are expressed in prenatal skin, indicating that their origins trace back to development in utero.

The skin organoids created in this research serve as a highly accurate model for studying these congenital diseases, offering new avenues for understanding and potentially treating such conditions.

Dr Elena Winheim, co-first author from the Wellcome Sanger Institute, said: “With our prenatal human skin atlas, we’ve provided the first molecular ‘recipe’ for making human skin and uncovered how human hair follicles are formed before birth. These insights have amazing clinical potential and could be used in regenerative medicine, when offering skin and hair transplants, such as for burn victims or those with scarring alopecia.”

Chandigarh, 18 March 2025: Ambuja Cements, the cement and building material company of the diversified Adani Portfolio, is driving agricultural transformation in the dry, hilly regions of Jiwati Taluka, Nagpur, and Chandrapur through its CSR efforts. To combat soil erosion, water scarcity, and low farm yields, the CSR team introduced terrace farming, enabling 15 farmers to convert 6 hectares of fallow land into cultivable fields.

In Jiwati, farmer Ananadrao Kodape had faced severe cultivation challenges on his uneven land earlier. With support from Ambuja Cements’ CSR team, he adopted terrace farming, improved soil moisture retention, and diversified his crops, doubling his income from Rs. 16,250 to Rs. 34,880. His success has drawn government support, helping him scale operations with subsidies for advanced farming infrastructure.

By facilitating sustainable farming practices, Ambuja Cements and its CSR team are transforming arid landscapes into thriving agricultural hubs, reaffirming their commitment to empowering rural communities and securing livelihoods in the face of climate change.