Potter, Nils2019-11-232019-11-232019-11-22vt_gsexam:22961http://hdl.handle.net/10919/95851Keratins are a family of structural proteins that can be extracted from a variety of sources including wool, nails, skin, hooves, and hair. Keratin can be processed into different constructs such as coatings, scaffolds, and hydrogels, and has shown favorable results when placed in in vitro and in vivo settings for different tissue regeneration applications. Over three decades, keratin extraction technology has been continuously modified, and these differences in extraction processes have distinct effects on the characteristics of the end product. In this work, we examine the effect of keratin aggregation during a widely-used purification step, dialysis ultra-filtration, on material characteristics of the final keratin product when fabricated into a hydrogel. Two distinct dialysis procedures were applied during the extraction of oxidized keratin (keratose): one promoting protein aggregation and the other mitigating it. Analyses of material properties such as mechanical and enzymatic stability were conducted in addition to observing the differences in solution behavior between products. Data revealed that protein aggregation during the extraction process has a profound effect on keratose hydrogel material properties. After determination of the effect of protein aggregation during extraction on keratose hydrogels, investigation of how a blended material comprised of said keratose and type I collagen was undertaken. It was hypothesized that a blend would result in mixing at the molecular level, resulting in improved properties compared to either pure material alone. A protocol was created to make stable keratose/type I collagen blends and material characterization techniques were applied to determine the inherent properties of samples with differing ratios. Crosslinking density, mechanical properties, enzymatic degradation properties, water uptake capacity, structural architecture, and thermal properties were all assessed. In addition, the ability of this material to maintain cell viability was conducted. Results showed that the addition of type I collagen has a significant effect on the properties of hydrogel blends with keratose compared to the pure keratose system. This was mostly evident with hydrogel mechanical stability and material architecture. Finally, the ability to use this hybrid material as a luminal filler for a nerve conduit during peripheral nerve regeneration was explored in an in vitro setting. The ability of this blend to promote Schwann cell viability was assessed in addition to determining the ability of these cells to attach and migrate through the material matrix. These experiments demonstrate proof-of-concept for the application of using keratose/type I collagen matrices as a luminal filler in peripheral nerve guidance conduits.ETDIn CopyrightKeratinPurificationHydrogelType I CollagenSchwann CellPeripheral Nerve RegenerationDissertation