Unlock the mystery: What material is used in nails? Can you solve it?

As a detective trying to solve the mystery of the crossword clue ‘Nail material’, the first thing that I would do is to brainstorm and list down possible materials that could fit the clue. As I rack my brain, my mind immediately went to the different types of nails, including toenails and fingernails, and what they are made of. I considered various possibilities such as steel, iron or even enamel, but they all seemed to be missing a decisive element. I recalled my time studying biology, and struck upon a material that seemed to fit perfectly: keratin. Keratin is a fibrous protein that is found in the outermost layers of our skin, hair, and nails, and it provides strength and durability in each case. Nails are made up of keratin, giving them their hard and resilient texture. So, after deliberate thought and a little bit of lateral thinking, I was finally able to solve this mystery and confidently fill in the answer ‘KERATIN’ in the crossword puzzle.