title: Study of the morphological and adhesion properties of collagen fibers in the Bruch's membrane.
abstract: The Bruch's membrane is located beneath the retina in vertebrate eyes. We have used atomic force microscopy to examine the morphological and adhesion properties of collagen fibers located in different portions of the membrane. The D-periodicity of the fibers was 62.54 +/- 4.25 nm and 63.78 +/- 4.14 nm for regions away from the optic nerve and close to it, respectively. The adhesion properties of the collagen fibers were evaluated using force volume imaging on a number of different eye samples. The adhesion force we recorded in regions away from the optic nerve was different compared to regions close to the optic nerve. The reported results allow us to understand the nanoscopic properties of connective tissues in the eye and are important for the design of new and improved biomaterials.
authors.forename: Shrestha Basu
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Mallick
authors.forename: Albena
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ivanisevic
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016570:Bruch Membrane / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003094:Collagen / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D018625:Microscopy, Atomic Force; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000737:chemistry / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine; D000267:Tissue Adhesions
chemical_list: D003094:Collagen