Protein-based biomaterials have emerged as a promising alternative because of their inherent cell-to-cell interaction, structural support, and cellular communications. Over the last century, advances in the extraction, purification, and characterization of keratin proteins from wool, feathers, horns, and other animal sources have created a keratin-based biomaterials platform. Keratins, like many other naturally generated macromolecules, have biological activity and biocompatibility built-in. Furthermore, isolated keratins can self-assemble into structures that control cellular identification and behaviour. As a result, keratin biomaterials with applications in wound healing, drug delivery, tissue engineering, trauma, and medical devices have been developed due to these properties. This review examines the function of keratin in the human body in-depth, focusing on the history of keratin research and a current evaluation of emerging approaches in biomedical fields like tissue engineering, medical science, regenerative medicine, and drug delivery.

基于蛋白质的生物材料因其固有的细胞间相互作用、结构支持和细胞通讯而成为一种有前途的替代品。在上个世纪，从羊毛、羽毛、角和其他动物来源中提取、纯化和表征角蛋白的进展已经创建了一个基于角蛋白的生物材料平台。角蛋白与许多其他天然生成的大分子一样，具有内在的生物活性和生物相容性。此外，分离的角蛋白可以自组装成控制细胞识别和行为的结构。因此，由于这些特性，已开发出可应用于伤口愈合、药物输送、组织工程、创伤和医疗器械的角蛋白生物材料。