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Synthesis of Keratin-based Nanofiber for Biomedical Engineering
Published on: February 7, 2016
Electrospun human keratin matrices as templates for tissue regeneration
Wan Ting Sow1, Yuan Siang Lui, Kee Woei Ng
1School of Materials Science & Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore.
Nanomedicine (London, England)
|April 9, 2013
Summary
Researchers created electrospun human hair keratin matrices for tissue regeneration. These biocompatible scaffolds support healthy cell growth, showing promise for regenerative medicine applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomaterials Science
- Tissue Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Human hair keratin is a potential biomaterial for tissue regeneration.
- Electrospinning is a promising technique for fabricating nanofibrous scaffolds.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the feasibility of creating human hair keratin matrices using electrospinning.
- To assess the potential of these keratin matrices for tissue regeneration applications.
Main Methods:
- Keratin extraction from human hair using sodium sulfide (Na2S).
- Blending keratin with poly(ethylene oxide) for electrospinning.
- Characterization of matrix morphology (SEM) and chemical properties (FTIR).
- Evaluation of fibroblast (murine and human) viability and morphology on the matrices (Live/Dead assay, SEM).
Main Results:
- Successfully fabricated electrospun keratin matrices without altering keratin's chemical structure.
- Demonstrated healthy morphology and cellular infiltration of fibroblasts into the keratin matrices by day 7.
Conclusions:
- Electrospun human hair keratin matrices offer a bioinductive and structural support system for cell growth.
- These matrices show potential as alternative scaffolds for tissue regeneration.
