Overview of Melanin, what it is and its function
my.clevelandclinic.org
I suggest also watching the video below for a breakdown of melanin pathways
Gist of the video:
Current research on melanin (this research is based primarily on Eumelanin)
The reason Eumelanin is the focus of a lot of research into bioelectronics is that Eumelanin is more stable and less prone to carcinogenesis than pheomelanin. Eumelanin also searches for free radicals in the body, absorbs UV-vis-light, and removes metals by binding with them. This makes Eumelanin ideal for nanotechnology or bioelectronic research.
#1: Research conducted by the department of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montreal, and published by Cambridge University.
The gist of the video (it's only around 3:00 min)
#2: Conducted by a different research team here in the states but the results are similar to the research team in #1
"a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University has discovered that the chemical structure of melanin on a macromolecular scale exhibits, amongst other shapes, a four-membered ring—in other words, a chemical structure that may be conducive to creating certain kinds of batteries based on natural melanin pigments."
"The voltage we got out was high—comparable to what you would get for the best sodium-based cathode materials we would use in a battery," says Viswanathan. "So this was surprising to us: that we could take this material from biology, and it could function potentially as a very good cathode material."
phys.org
#3: Melanin will be the powerbase for the current nanotechnological revolution
Melanin, an l-DOPA(if you watched video #1 L-tyrosine is converted into L-dopa)-derived biopolymer present in wide variety of organisms, evidences, outstanding physicochemical properties that have revealed to be very useful in the medical nanotechnology field. In this comprehensive review, it was discussed the current research on MNPs and MLNPs that are being used for the different biomedical applications, such as antioxidant applications, drug release, imaging, bioelectronics and theranostics. The last one is the new goal of medicine, which aims to incorporate, all-inone, the diagnostic and the therapy. The results are very promising, leading to a new era of medicine, the personalized medicine where nanotechnology is the main pillar
Source: http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/66389/1/20235-1-s2.0-S1742706120300623-main.pdf
- Melanin is a light absorbing polymer derived from the essential amino acid tyrosine, which scatters UV light and converts it into heat.
- Your unique combination of eumelanin and pheomelanin is responsible for your skin, hair and eye color. Typically, all humans have the same number of melanocytes. However, the amount of melanin produced by these melanocytes varies. People with more melanin generally have darker skin, eyes and hair compared to those with little melanin.
- When you spend time out in the sun, your body produces more melanin. The substance absorbs light from UV rays and redistributes it toward the upper layers of skin. It also protects the genetic material stored in your cells by keeping out harmful UV rays.
But keep in mind that melanin alone isn’t enough to protect your skin from sun damage. That’s why it’s so important to wear sunscreen and appropriate clothing whenever you’re outside. - Protection from UV rays. Melanin protects your skin by absorbing harmful rays, including UVA, UVB, UVC and blue light.
- Protection against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Reactive oxygen species are byproducts of your body’s cell processes. When ROS accumulate in your cells, they can lead to stress, premature aging and health concerns such as diabetes and cancer. Melanin scavenges for ROS, boosting antioxidants and eliminating free radicals.
- Studies also suggest that melanin may aid in immune system support and the reduction of inflammation in your body. More research is necessary to determine the full extent of these benefits.
Melanin: What Is It, Types & Benefits
Melanin is responsible for producing skin and hair pigmentation. Learn more about the function, benefits and types of melanin.
my.clevelandclinic.org
I suggest also watching the video below for a breakdown of melanin pathways
Gist of the video:
- Those with darker skin tone produce more Eumelanin, whereas those with lighter skin tones produce more Pheomelanin.
- Our melanin (whether eu- or pheo-melanin) is created from enzyme Tyrosinase
- (Those with darker pigment have a higher number, size, and pigment of melanosomes than those of lighter complexion. )
- Tyrosinase creates L-tyrosine which can either create Dopaquinone or L-dopa (though L-dopa can also create Dopaquinone by combining with another L-tyrosine compound)
- After the creation of L-tyrosine and/or Dopaquinone they may undergo different processes to create either Eumelanin or Pheomelanin
- The percentages of eu- or pheo-melanin a person may have are not strict and is dependent on the environment and genetics.
Current research on melanin (this research is based primarily on Eumelanin)
The reason Eumelanin is the focus of a lot of research into bioelectronics is that Eumelanin is more stable and less prone to carcinogenesis than pheomelanin. Eumelanin also searches for free radicals in the body, absorbs UV-vis-light, and removes metals by binding with them. This makes Eumelanin ideal for nanotechnology or bioelectronic research.
#1: Research conducted by the department of engineering physics at Polytechnique Montreal, and published by Cambridge University.
The gist of the video (it's only around 3:00 min)
- Melanin is a natural electrode and makes a good base to start creating bioelectronics for humans and our environment.
#2: Conducted by a different research team here in the states but the results are similar to the research team in #1
"a team of researchers from Carnegie Mellon University has discovered that the chemical structure of melanin on a macromolecular scale exhibits, amongst other shapes, a four-membered ring—in other words, a chemical structure that may be conducive to creating certain kinds of batteries based on natural melanin pigments."
"The voltage we got out was high—comparable to what you would get for the best sodium-based cathode materials we would use in a battery," says Viswanathan. "So this was surprising to us: that we could take this material from biology, and it could function potentially as a very good cathode material."
Researchers discover melanin could make for great batteries
Melanin is best known as the pigment that dictates our skin tones, but it is found just about everywhere—in our brains, in our hair. It is even found in cuttlefish. But as abundant as melanin is, its exact macromolecular chemical structure is surprisingly not well understood.
#3: Melanin will be the powerbase for the current nanotechnological revolution
Melanin, an l-DOPA(if you watched video #1 L-tyrosine is converted into L-dopa)-derived biopolymer present in wide variety of organisms, evidences, outstanding physicochemical properties that have revealed to be very useful in the medical nanotechnology field. In this comprehensive review, it was discussed the current research on MNPs and MLNPs that are being used for the different biomedical applications, such as antioxidant applications, drug release, imaging, bioelectronics and theranostics. The last one is the new goal of medicine, which aims to incorporate, all-inone, the diagnostic and the therapy. The results are very promising, leading to a new era of medicine, the personalized medicine where nanotechnology is the main pillar
Source: http://repositorium.sdum.uminho.pt/bitstream/1822/66389/1/20235-1-s2.0-S1742706120300623-main.pdf
in what way?
