Title: Prospects of human hair keratin based biomaterials
Abstract:
Keratin is the major structural fibrous protein providing outer covering such as hair, wool, feathers, nails and horns of mammals, reptiles and birds. Keratin fibers, such as wool and human hair, consist of two major morphological parts: the cuticle layer which is composed of overlapping cells that surround the cortex, the inner part of the fiber. Human hair consists primarily of keratin and keratin associated proteins. It is approximately 80% of keratin by total mass. Extracted keratin proteins have an intrinsic ability to self-assemble and polymerize into fibrous and porous films gels and scaffolds. Keratins can be fabricated into several morphologies including films, sponges and hydrogels by employing different procedures. Keratin based biomaterial have potential biomedical applications due to its biocompatibility, biodegradability, good cellular interaction and no immune reaction. The major applications explored for the keratin based biomaterial include wound dressings, drug delivery systems, ocular surface reconstructions and peripheral nerve regeneration among others
Audience Take Away Notes :
- How keratin could be fabricated into various material forms
- Current use of keratin materials in biomedical applications
- Characteristic properties of keratinbased materials
