Structure–Property Relationships of Meta-Kerateine Biomaterials Derived from Human Hair

The study explored the development of keratin-based biomaterials derived from human hair, focusing on the extraction and purification of keratins to improve their mechanical properties for biomedical applications. By using reductive chemistry, the researchers extracted keratins and separated them into α- and γ-fractions, which were then recombined to create "meta-kerateines" with varied properties. The findings indicated that purified keratin extracts could form more robust and stable biomaterials compared to crude extracts, highlighting the potential for designing materials with specific physical, chemical, and biological characteristics for tissue engineering.