Molecular engineering of melanin for enhanced biological γ-ray protection

Ruotong Deng, Wei Chen, Hanjie Zhu, Yuxi Li, Yining Ou, Jian Wang, Qing Ruan, Xuanying Zhang, Junbo Zhang, Yongxian Zhang, Yantao Niu, Zhubin Hu, Chunlei Zhang, Huaping Xu () and Wei Cao ()
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Ruotong Deng: Beijing Normal University
Wei Chen: Tsinghua University
Hanjie Zhu: Beijing Normal University
Yuxi Li: Beijing Normal University
Yining Ou: Beijing Normal University
Jian Wang: Beijing Normal University
Qing Ruan: Beijing Normal University
Xuanying Zhang: Beijing Normal University
Junbo Zhang: Beijing Normal University
Yongxian Zhang: Beijing Tongren Hospital
Yantao Niu: Beijing Tongren Hospital
Zhubin Hu: East China Normal University
Chunlei Zhang: Beijing Normal University
Huaping Xu: Tsinghua University
Wei Cao: Beijing Normal University

Nature Communications, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Abstract The escalating utilization of ionizing radiation across medicine and industry underscored the paramount urgency of effective radioprotective materials. Conventional materials such as lead and concrete are widely used, and lead-free materials have also emerged to solve the problems of cumbersome and toxic lead, such as metal-containing micro/nano materials and polymers. Nevertheless, there is still a significant challenge in meeting the urgent need for lightweight and biocompatible alternatives. To tackle this challenge, this work utilizes molecular engineering of melanin to develop a panel of metal-free melanin materials with enhanced conjugation, heightened physical shielding against radiation and effective antioxidant properties. Furthermore, engineered melanin materials demonstrated in vivo γ-ray protection, increasing mice survival from ~12% to 100% after 6 Gy total body irradiation.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62403-8

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