41 citations
,
July 2020 in “Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces” This study suggests that adjusting the ratios of keratin-associated proteins to keratin intermediate filaments can create keratin/chitosan hydrogels with more consistent gel properties for tissue engineering.
13 citations
,
July 2017 in “Biopolymers” This study presents recombinant human hair keratins K31 and K81, observing novel nanostructures from their self-assembly and emphasizing disulfide crosslinking's role in this process.
106 citations
,
December 2015 in “Biomacromolecules” This study describes a method to create keratin hydrogels with adjustable erosion rates by mixing different ratios of keratose and kerateine, enabling controlled release of therapeutic agents like insulin-like growth factor 1.
75 citations
,
September 2015 in “Acta biomaterialia” This study found that alkylation of kerateine cysteine residues created a cell-compatible method for controlling hydrogel erosion rates and therapeutic agent release in keratin-based systems.
89 citations
,
April 2015 in “Materials Science and Engineering C” Keratin-based hydrogels from human hair improve wound healing effectively.
7 citations
,
March 2014 in “ISRN Biomaterials” In this study, a keratin hydrogel improved survival rates and functional recovery in rats with spinal cord injuries, suggesting potential for SCI treatment that merits further investigation.
12 citations
,
January 2014 in “Cell structure and function” This study suggests that specific combinations of human type I and II hair keratins, particularly K35-K85 and K36-K81, have distinct in vitro assembly properties that are significant for macrofibril formation.
69 citations
,
October 2013 in “Tissue Engineering Part A” This study found that using a keratin hydrogel scaffold as a filler in collagen nerve conduits significantly improved nerve regeneration and motor recovery in Macaca fascicularis monkeys compared to saline.
105 citations
,
May 2013 in “Biomaterials” In this study, the researchers found that a keratin hydrogel filler in nerve conduits led to earlier Schwann cell migration and improved cellular behaviors compared to other fillers in a rat sciatic nerve model.
118 citations
,
January 2013 in “Biomaterials” This study characterized keratin-based biomaterials that self-assemble into hydrogels, demonstrating their potential to achieve hemostasis in a lethal liver injury model through specific biomaterial-receptor interactions.
143 citations
,
January 2012 in “Cell and Tissue Research” 
140 citations
,
August 2011 in “Biomaterials” This study observed that keratose, derived from human hair, integrated well in mouse tissue and remodeled with collagen, suggesting potential as a non-toxic biomaterial for regenerative applications.
99 citations
,
June 2011 in “Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A” This study observed that keratose hydrogels sustained ciprofloxacin release over three weeks and inhibited Staphylococcus aureus growth in vitro for 23 days and in mice for 2 weeks.
517 citations
,
February 2010 in “Materials” This review discusses the history and development of keratin biomaterials for biomedical uses, highlighting their biological activity and biocompatibility, and provides no new research findings.
177 citations
,
April 2008 in “Biomedical Materials” This study found that scaffolds made from human hair proteins supported better cell growth and interactions than control surfaces, indicating potential use in tissue engineering.
309 citations
,
October 2007 in “Biomaterials” This study found that a biomaterial gel made from human hair keratins facilitated nerve regeneration in an animal model, potentially matching the effectiveness of traditional autografts.
