One-Step Tunable Human Hair Keratin Gradient Hydrogel with Antibacterial Activity for Tissue Engineering

December 2025 in “ Small ”

Marin Zhen Lin Yee, YT Lim, L. V. Natarajan, Bertrand Czarny, Kee Woei Ng

keratin human hair keratin hydrogel silver-thiolate complexation cysteine extracellular matrix collagen re-epithelization skin tissue regeneration

TLDR A new hydrogel made from human hair keratin can help regenerate skin and fight bacteria.

The study presents a novel one-step method to create a tunable gradient hydrogel using keratins extracted from human hair. This hydrogel is formed through a diffusion-mediated silver-thiolate complexation process, leveraging keratin's high cysteine content. The resulting hydrogel exhibits antibacterial properties and supports extracellular matrix production in vitro. In vivo tests demonstrate enhanced collagen production, re-epithelization, and minimal host tissue response, indicating its potential for full-thickness skin tissue regeneration.

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