title: Keratin-based biomaterials for biomedical applications.
abstract: The ongoing development of manufacturing technologies and of biocompatible and biodegradable polymers have significantly contributed to the progress of drug delivery systems. In the last decades, the knowledge on keratins has significantly increased, regarding their ultrastructure, molecular and cell biology, physiological and pathological roles, as well as their practical applications in the biomedical field. Produced through sustainable, simple and cheap methods, the natural, non-toxic keratin is one of the raw biomaterials frequently used in the pharmaceutical technology for different applications. The purpose of this review is to present the keratins ultrastructure, types, biological distribution, tissue expression profiles, some of their multiple physiological and pathological roles, as well as their practical applications in drug delivery and cellular and tissue engineering.
authors.forename: George Dan
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Mogosanu
authors.forename: Alexandru Mihai
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grumezescu
authors.affiliation: Department of Science and Engineering of Oxidice Materials and Nanomaterials, Faculty of Applied Chemistry and Materials Science, Politehnica University of Bucharest, 1-7 Polizu Street, 011061 Bucharest, Romania. grumezescu@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mariana Carmen
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Chifiriuc
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism; D016503:Drug Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D007633:Keratins / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000378:metabolism*; D013678:Technology, Pharmaceutical; D023822:Tissue Engineering / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D007633:Keratins