title: A method for determination of stiffness of collagen molecules.
abstract: This study developed a micromechanical test method for determination of stiffness of collagen molecules. The novelty includes the adoption of an optical tweezer system for loading a single collagen molecule and the development of a binding technique for gripping the collagen molecule termini for the micromechanical test. This methodology will potentially help us to understand the mechanical properties and functions of collagen ultrastructure.
authors.affiliation: Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Z P
authors.initials: ZP
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Bolander
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry*; D008722:Methods
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen