DISORDER/ORDER AND ASYMMETRY/SYMMETRY TRANSITIONS OBSERVED IN LABORATORY PRODUCED COLLAGEN MEMBRANES

G. RUDERMAN; I.G. MOGILNER; E.J. TOLOSA; N.E. MASSA; J:R. GRIGERA; M. GARAVAGLIA

J. ISIS-Symmetry

Año: 2007 vol. 2-4 p. 420 - 423

Abstract A novel biomaterial made of collagen, that would presumably be useful in repairing hypertrophic injuries and cheloides is presented. This material is a membrane made of the protein, ordered at a molecular level. Collagen is a highly occurring protein in several body tissues and the molecule has a cylindrical geometry. It  first arranges in fibrils, then into fibers, to finally conform very ordered aggregates like the skin. Each aggregate posses its own pattern, according to the relevant function. Collagen membranes, with no molecular order, have already been used for several purposes, even in industry. Two alternative methods to produce soluble collagen and then the ordered membranes were patented in 1999 and 2006, respectively (2). UV and IR spectra reveal a high purity degree of the material.Optical, Laser Scanning and Electronic microscopic observations and laser diffraction experiments show a high level of order in the obtained membranes. A few details in the observed experimental images are the base to intent an analysis of the disorder/order or asymmetry/symmetry transitions in these membranes.