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Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation01:19

Pigmentation

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The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
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Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives01:14

Changes in Skin Color: Clinical Perspectives

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The first thing a clinician sees is the skin, so the examination of the skin should be part of any thorough physical examination. Most skin disorders are relatively benign, but a few, including melanomas, can be fatal if untreated. A couple of the more noticeable disorders, albinism and vitiligo, affect the appearance of the skin and its accessory organs.
Albinism
Albinism is a genetic disorder that affects (completely or partially) the coloring of skin, hair, and eyes. The defect is primarily...
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Skin Cancer01:30

Skin Cancer

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Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
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Cells of the Epidermis01:24

Cells of the Epidermis

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The epidermis is made of four or five layers of epithelial cells, depending on its location in the body. From deep to superficial, these layers are the stratum basale, stratum spinosum, stratum granulosum, stratum lucidum, and stratum corneum.
The cells in all these layers except the stratum basale are called keratinocytes, a type of cell that manufactures and stores the protein keratin. The keratinocytes in the stratum corneum are dead and regularly slough away, being replaced by cells from...
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Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways01:22

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

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At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...
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Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

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Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 12, 2026

Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

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From melanogenesis to melanin technologies.

Noah Al-Shamery1, Dauren Biyashev2, Lluís Blancafort3

  • 1School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore.

Communications Chemistry
|November 4, 2025
PubMed
Summary

Melanins are complex natural pigments with unique properties. This perspective advocates for an interdisciplinary approach to unlock their potential in functional devices and biodegradable electronics.

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Last Updated: Jan 12, 2026

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Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry and Materials Science: Focuses on natural pigments and their applications.

Background:

  • Melanins possess unique optical, electronic, redox, and structural properties challenging conventional characterization.
  • Research on melanins is fragmented across various scientific disciplines.
  • An international meeting highlighted advances in melanogenesis, evolution, characterization, and applications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To summarize key insights from the first international interdisciplinary meeting on melanin.
  • To advocate for a unified, interdisciplinary approach to understanding melanin's complex chemistry.
  • To propose a roadmap for future melanin research towards functional devices.

Main Methods:

  • Perspective based on insights from an international interdisciplinary meeting.
  • Integration of knowledge from biology, materials science, paleontology, device physics, and chemistry.

Main Results:

  • Melanin research is currently fragmented across disciplines.
  • Emerging applications include energy storage, sensing, coatings, and biodegradable electronics.
  • A need exists for a unified approach to study melanin's complex chemistry.

Conclusions:

  • An interdisciplinary approach is crucial for understanding melanin's full potential.
  • Future research should focus on integrating diverse perspectives.
  • This integrated approach will facilitate the development of melanin-based functional devices and technologies.