Porous Hydrogel of Wool Hair Keratin as a Substrate for Cell Culture

The study presented a novel method for creating a sponge-like porous hydrogel from wool hair keratin, which was shown to be a suitable substrate for cell culture. The keratin hydrogel demonstrated a highly porous structure, fast-swelling properties, and high mechanical strength, making it flexible yet durable, especially under tensile strain. Unlike chemically crosslinked Type I collagen gels, this keratin hydrogel supported the attachment and growth of various animal cells, including PC12 cells, HOS cells, and murine embryonic fibroblasts, as observed through fluorescent microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. The hydrogel's properties suggested its potential as a scaffold in tissue engineering, with preliminary studies indicating its applicability in bone tissue engineering through osteoblast culture.