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

ABSTRACT: Gradient hydrogels are an emerging strategy in tissue engineering to mimic the heterogeneity in native tissues. Herein, the metal-thiolate complexation mechanism is exploited by allowing diffusion of silver ions (Ag⁺) through a cysteine-rich human hair keratin (HHK) solution to produce a novel gradient hydrogel. This one-step approach enables the combined benefits of a sustainable material with an established antimicrobial agent. Herein, the gelation kinetics, physical, mechanical, and biochemical properties of the gradient hydrogel are correlated over a range of thiol:Ag ratios. The presence of a porosity gradient within a single construct, along with dissimilar top and bottom surface morphologies, is shown. Disk diffusion tests against Staphylococcus aureus verified the antiba

SUBMITTER: Yee MZL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12747607 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature