Dr Duane Harland, Dr Marina Richena, Dr Santanu Deb-Choudhury, Dr Jeff Plowman and Kim Parker (AgResearch)
Mammalian α-keratin hard structures such as horns, hooves, hair, and sensory whiskers have promise as engineered bio-based materials. Mimicking the naturally ordered chemistry of α-keratin materials is one approach to developing these materials.
Sulphur’s complex chemistry plays a significant role in the function of enzymes and proteins and is crucial for the mechanical performance of α-keratin-based materials.
The team used both new [Medium Energy X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (MEX)] beamlines to investigate the subtle chemical reactions that occur within single wool fibres as moisture content changes. The functional performance of these structures is linked to how the network of disulfide bonds within and between proteins degrades over a lifetime of environmental changes and stresses.
We now have a better understanding of how the complex chemistry of sulphur contributes to making wool, a sulphur-rich fibre, incredibly resilient. One step of many, the research helps pave the way for innovative applications in bio-based materials.
