Keratin Nanomaterials and Methods of Production

Keratin nanomaterials are a new chemical entity that can be used to make biomaterials and other materials. They have a unique ability for self-assembly and spontaneously form highly ordered material structures with novel mechanical, chemical, and biological characteristics. They have advantages over conventional biomacromolecules in that keratin nanomaterials have a different chemical composition and elicit different responses when in contact with cells and tissues. Methods for making keratin nanomaterials rely on an undisclosed process that employs the use of a narrow range of phosphate buffer solutions. These buffer solutions affect the separation of keratin nanomaterials from contaminants that are intrinsic to the production of extracted keratin solutions. Therefore, the use of the process described in the subject invention is essential for producing keratin nanomaterials.

Category(s):

Biomedical

Materials

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For Information, Contact:

Grant Brewer

Senior Licensing Associate

Virginia Tech Intellectual Properties, Inc.

(540) 231-6648

grantb76@vt.edu

Inventors:

Mark Van Dyke

Maria Rahmany