title: Collagen: a network for regenerative medicine.
abstract: The basic building block of the extra-cellular matrix in native tissue is collagen. As a structural protein, collagen has an inherent biocompatibility making it an ideal material for regenerative medicine. Cellular response, mediated by integrins, is dictated by the structure and chemistry of the collagen fibers. Fiber formation,viafibrillogenesis, can be controlledin vitroby several factors: pH, ionic strength, and collagen structure. After formation, fibers are stabilizedviacross-linking. The final bioactivity of collagen scaffolds is a result of both processes. By considering each step of fabrication, scaffolds can be tailored for the specific needs of each tissue, improving their therapeutic potential.
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan , 2350 Hayward Ave , Ann Arbor , MI 48109 , USA.
authors.forename: K M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Pawelec
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , CB3 0FS , UK . Email: rec11@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Best
authors.affiliation: Cambridge Centre for Medical Materials , University of Cambridge , Cambridge , CB3 0FS , UK . Email: rec11@cam.ac.uk.
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Cameron