Reveal secrets collagen growth at the molecular level

A research team from Texas A & M University biomedical engineers composed of at the molecular level to reveal how the growth of collagen and how it helps the body to form a variety of structures, including bones, tendons, blood vessels, skin, various structural heart, even the cornea and so on.

Using computer models and newly developed computer program, an associate professor of biomedical engineering at A & M University Wonmuk Hwang, has been able to distinguish the difference between a complex network of collagen formation under different conditions at the molecular level. His findings as scientific journal "Physical Review Letters" featured cover article.

Collagen, widespread use as a cosmetic, is the body's most abundant kind of protein. As the major structural protein of connective tissue, they are also tendons, ligaments and skin were found. Furthermore the cornea, cartilage, bone, blood vessels and teeth are rich in these proteins. Hwang studied collagen is how to form such a diverse materials. In particular, he studied the collagen fibers on the surface of how to assemble orderly network.

Hwang said surface assembly of collagen, particularly with biomedical engineers are looking for collagen-based coating implantable medical devices, in order to prevent the equipment being refused the body's immune system.

"We compared the differences in the structure of collagen formation on," Hwang said, the difference between what is real, "these molecules from different parts of the body between the? What differences exist between the formation of collagen and bone formation cornea? If you study the problem at the molecular level, you can begin to see the difference. our research aims to provide a quantitative and detailed analysis of these differences. "

As part of his study, Hwang found that collagen fibers assembled into a complex network of triangular shape, wherein the larger the shape of a small filled. Hwang explained that this type of structure is composed of a network of scientists based on fractal division. Bovine Immunoglobulin G ELISA Kit http://www.cusabio.com/ELISA_Kit-84103/ distributed throughout nature, such as water systems, clouds, shoreline and mountains. Similar networks or even in between the light carrying optical nanofibers based electronics.

To explain this phenomenon has been widely observed, Hwang developed a theoretical and computational model for network formation process, so that he accurately predicted and simulated growth process of the network. Hwang collagen network to test the model, using a computer program, he developed a technique called CAFé, (Hwang aid of a computer program called CAFé, collagen network test model) or called computer-aided features extraction. Hwang explained, CAFE can identify complex network of collagen fibers single image.

By combining models and CAFé, making this method becomes unreliable. Hwang said that in order to accurately distinguish between different networks to form under slightly different experimental conditions, similar to the distinction between the two actually looks like there are subtle differences in the painting. This is the scientists are trying to understand collagen and it is an important milestone for versatility.