Regensburg 2004 – scientific programme

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AKB: Biologische Physik

AKB 50: Poster Session "Biological Physics"

AKB 50.101: Poster

Friday, March 12, 2004, 10:30–13:00, B

Biomechanical investigations of collagen fibrils — •Stefan Strasser, Wolfgang M. Heckl, and Stefan Thalhammer — Department for Geo und Environmental Sciences, GeoBioCenter and Center for Nanoscience, Ludwig Maximilians University, Theresienstr. 41, 80333 Munich, Germany

Collagen fibrils, type I and II with various periodicities were investigated, using the Atomic Force Microscope both as tool for imaging and nanomanipulation. Native and fibrous long spacing (FLS) collagen fibrils were formed by self assembling in vitro, using a special setup for dialysing. Depending on the conditions of assembly, collagen may form a variety of different structures. The received collagen fibrils of type I had a bending pattern of 67nm for the native fibrils, and 200nm to 300nm for the FLS fibrils. Collagen is a system which shows a large degree of polymorphism. All fibrils with a periodicity greater than 67nm can be considered as FLS collagen. The collagen fibrils were imaged in air and in liquids. To determine the elastic properties of collagen fibrils the tip of the AFM was used as a nano-indentor. Force displacement curves were recorded in liquids at different hights of collagen clusters as well as on single fibrils and the youngs modulus has been calculated utilizing the Hertzian theory. Results will be shown and discussed on single fibrils and on multilayer stacks.