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SUMMARY:Overview of dense self-assembled collagen materials for tissue eng
 ineering and morphogenesis studies - Dr Nadine Nassif (CNRS\, Collège de 
 France\, Sorbonne Université)
DTSTART:20190717T100000Z
DTEND:20190717T110000Z
UID:TALK127528@talks.cam.ac.uk
CONTACT:Lingtao Kong
DESCRIPTION:In biological tissues\, a common feature is the presence of de
 nse arrays of biopolymers with ordered geometries at the ultrastructural l
 evel. A relationship has been established between two scientific fields\, 
 namely cellular biology and physico-chemistry\, by showing the similarity 
 of such three-dimensional arrangements formed by the biological polymers a
 nd molecules in liquid crystals (see publications of Yves Bouligand). This
  structural analogy between living tissues and liquid crystals was suggest
 ing similar self-assembly mechanisms in both systems. For Type I collagen 
 (the major structural protein of connective tissue)\, the liquid crystalli
 ne self-assemblies was shown forming cholesteric phases in highly concentr
 ated collagen solutions at the molecular level. After a sol/gel transition
 \, collagen fibrils are formed while preserving the cholesteric geometry (
 see publications of Marie-Madeleine Giraud-Guille).\n\nRecently\, the samp
 les were scaled up (from drop to bulk material). For this purpose\, two di
 fferent processes were set relying either on a coupled injection/dialysis 
 or a spray-drying set-up. A range of simple and non-toxic materials is pro
 duced. The dense fibrillar collagen matrices at variable concentrations fo
 rm a tissue-like library to assess the fundamental structure-function rela
 tionship of connective tissues such as dermis\, cornea or bone. Indeed\, c
 oupling the liquid-crystalline properties of collagen to a hydroxyapatite 
 mineralization process leads to the synthesis of a collagen/apatite compos
 ite with high similarities with the bone tissue in terms of composition an
 d structure. In vitro and in vivo investigations were performed to control
  their cyto- and biocompatibility and to evaluate their potentialities as 
 bone repair. They are found to be a good starting point for applications i
 n bone tissue engineering through the design of new implantable materials 
 since autologous bone is still considered as the gold standard.
LOCATION:Wolfson Lecture Theatre\,  Department of Chemistry\, Lensfield Ro
 ad
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