![pageSearch](/themes/hestia/images/page-search.webp)
New liquid biopsy technology uses RNA "dark matter" to detect cancer
Jul 25, 2023Cosmos votes on liquid staking plan in bid to boost DeFi
Jul 28, 2023Beer Goggles or Liquid Courage? Alcohol's Real Effect on Attraction
Jul 31, 2023Wren Labs Launches Neuroendocrine Tumor Liquid Biopsy in Asia, Works on Expanding Testing Menu
Jul 27, 2023'Altcoins' central to Hong Kong crypto firm HashKey’s first liquid fund
Jul 26, 2023K18 Granted Patent for Hair Fiber
![Jun 26, 2023](/themes/hestia/images/news-details-icon1.webp)
Focused on biomimetic hair science, San Francisco-based indie brand K18 has been awarded a patent for a peptide composition distinguished by its ability to penetrate inside the human hair fiber to improve strength and hydrophobicity, and its greater affinity to hair keratin than previously developed peptides.
See also: K18 Names Sofia Richie Grainge Ambassador
Per the patent disclosure, a study by researchers at the University of Minho in March 2017 — a doctoral thesis from Celia Freitas Da Cruz, "Unravelling and modulating human hair morphology features" — brought to light a mechanistic understanding of how peptides could interact and fortify endogenous hair proteins. In their investigations, the researchers examined the influence of isoelectric point, charge and amino acid side chain functionality on the binding interactions of the screened peptides with hair proteins.
The array analysis suggested that designing peptides with small molecular weights and high affinity to human hair keratin would have a good probability of interacting with and reinforcing keratin properties when supported by surfactant agents to help increase the penetration of the peptides into the cortex. The current invention therefore incorporates two peptides, approximately 11 and 12 amino acids in size (wherein two to three are cysteines), and a suitable dermatology excipient.
More specifically, the novel peptide designs have the following characteristics:
The composition additionally includes an anionic, amphoteric, cationic or nonionic surfactant, and combinations thereof; and a coloring agent/dye bound to the N or C terminus of the peptide sequence. The resulting composition is suited to treatment and grooming products for human hair.
See related: Skin and Hair Supplements for Holistic Beauty, A Review