TLDR Keratin from hair and wool is used in medical materials for healing and drug delivery.
The document reviewed the use of keratin-based biomaterials in biomedical applications, highlighting their biocompatibility, biodegradability, and ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation. It discussed various methods of keratin extraction and processing, and the potential for combining keratin with other materials to enhance its properties. Applications included tissue engineering, wound healing, and drug delivery systems. Despite promising results, further research was needed to understand long-term effects and optimize clinical use. The review also traced the history of keratin research and noted advancements in extraction and characterization techniques.
309 citations,
October 2007 in “Biomaterials” Keratin from human hair helps nerves heal faster.
138 citations,
March 2007 in “Experimental cell research” Only a few hair-specific keratins are linked to inherited hair disorders.
103 citations,
January 2006 in “Journal of Cell Science” The document concludes that the hair cycle is a complex process involving growth, regression, and rest phases, regulated by various molecular signals.
50 citations,
August 1999 in “Experimental dermatology” The control system for hair growth cycles is not well understood and needs more research.
235 citations,
July 1999 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Human hair is made up of different keratins, some strong and some weak, with specific types appearing at various stages of hair growth.
Human hair keratins can self-assemble and support cell growth, useful for biomedical applications.
Human hair keratins can be turned into useful 3D biomedical scaffolds through a freeze-thaw process.
75 citations,
September 2015 in “Acta biomaterialia” Alkylation of human hair keratin allows for adjustable drug release rates in hydrogels for medical use.
6 citations,
October 2016 Understanding how keratin structures in hair are arranged and interact is key for creating methods to extract and purify them.
Keratin hydrogels from human hair show promise for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
