Skin properties derive from arrangement of components: mammals

The skin of mammals may derive its unique mechanical properties and other characteristics from the arrangement of its stratum corneum keratin intermediate filaments into cubic rod-packing symmetry.

Biomimicry Taxonomy

	Maintain physical integrity >
	Protect from abiotic factors >
	Loss of liquids

Biomimetic Application Ideas

Elastic reusable water containers, elastic reusable packaging, structural elastic materials that resist fatigue and aging, elastic durable nanomaterials.

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[Collapse all sections] Summary

Keratin is tough, adaptable, flexible, and resistant to water. These qualities make it an ideal material for the moulding of claws, nails and hooves, and as a body covering.

Excerpt

"A new model for stratum corneum keratin structure, function, and formation is presented. The structural and functional part of the model, which hereafter is referred to as 'the cubic rod-packing model', postulates that stratum corneum keratin intermediate filaments are arranged according to a cubic-like rod-packing symmetry with or without the presence of an intracellular lipid membrane with cubic-like symmetry enveloping each individual filament. The new model could account for (i) the cryo-electron density pattern of the native corneocyte keratin matrix, (ii) the X-ray diffraction patterns, (iii) the swelling behavior, and (iv) the mechanical properties of mammalian stratum corneum. The morphogenetic part of the model, which hereafter is referred to as 'the membrane templating model', postulates the presence in cellular space of a highly dynamic small lattice parameter (<30 nm) membrane structure with cubic-like symmetry, to which keratin is associated. It further proposes that membrane templating, rather than spontaneous self-assembly, is responsible for keratin intermediate filament formation and dynamics. The new model could account for (i) the cryo-electron density patterns of the native keratinocyte cytoplasmic space, (ii) the characteristic features of the keratin network formation process, (iii) the dynamic properties of keratin intermediate filaments, (iv) the close lipid association of keratin, (v) the insolubility in non-denaturating buffers and pronounced polymorphism of keratin assembled in vitro, and (vi) the measured reduction in cell volume and hydration level between the stratum granulosum and stratum corneum. Further, using cryo-transmission electron microscopy on native, fully hydrated, vitreous epidermis we show that the subfilametous [sic] keratin electron density pattern consists, both in corneocytes and in viable keratinocytes, of one axial subfilament surrounded by an undetermined number of peripheral subfilaments forming filaments with a diameter of ~8 nm." (Norlén and Al-Amoudi 2004:715)

About the inspiring organism

Mammalia
Mammalia

Organism/taxonomy data provided by:
Species 2000 & ITIS Catalogue of Life: 2008 Annual Checklist

Bioinspired products and application ideas

Application Ideas: Elastic reusable water containers, elastic reusable packaging, structural elastic materials that resist fatigue and aging, elastic durable nanomaterials.

Industrial Sector(s) interested in this strategy: Water storage, packaging, materials science and engineering, nanotechnology

Experts

Nanomolecular Dermatology
Lars Norlén
Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institute

References

Norlen, L.; Al-Amoudi, A. 2004. Stratum Corneum Keratin Structure, Function, and Formation: The Cubic Rod-Packing and Membrane Templating Model. Journal of Investigative Dermatology. 123(4): 715-732.

Foy, Sally; Oxford Scientific Films. 1982. The Grand Design: Form and Colour in Animals. Lingfield, Surrey, U.K.: BLA Publishing Limited for J.M.Dent & Sons Ltd, Aldine House, London. 238 p.

Skin properties derive from arrangement of components: mammals

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