Physics of the Molecules of Life

Collagens, lipids, and water

Collagens are long-chain proteins consisting of several thousand amino acids. They are a major component of the connective tissue of vertebrates and provide mechanical strength to tissues. The most abundant type is type I collagen, which forms fibrils 30 to 300 nm in diameter and has a periodic structure with a lattice constant of 67 nm along the fibril axis. The amount and distribution of water, lipids (fats), and molecular bonds between collagen molecules determine and control the mechanical properties of collagen fibrils.

We study the biomechanics of collagen fibrils and connective tissues at the nanometer scale. We are interested in the spatially and chemically complex structure of these natural macromolecular materials and the physical and chemical basis of their mechanical properties. To this end, we use atomic force microscopy and computer simulations. Synthetic macromolecules (polymers) serve as chemically and physically well-defined model systems.

In collaboration with the Cognitive Systems Lab, we are developing a multisensory display that allows the user to perceive the measured nanomechanical properties of a sample using touch and other human senses. We take a multidisciplinary approach, with an emphasis on fundamental phenomena and the goal of developing exciting new applications in the life sciences.

Physics of the Molecules of Life

Collagens, lipids, and water

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