SIR Computer Science Investigation Abstract
COLLAGEN FIBRIL FORMATION: A 1-D COMPUTER SIMULATION
Presenter:
Yi-Meng Tan, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 W. Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL 60506
Mentor:
Dr. Bradley Layton, Drexel University
Abstract:
Collagen is the most ubiquitous protein in the body, comprising approximately 30-50% of all protein and over 5% of body mass. It is mostly found in connective tissue, such as bone, skin, tendon, cornea, and other structural elements. Its unique structure includes a 300nm long triple helix of tropocollagen strands that self-assemble into fibrils with diameters of 20-500nm and indeterminant length through a self-controlled process. The details for fibril size limitation is influenced by many factors, including curvature and stiffness of the strands, as well as energies of formation and deformation. We created a computer model to simulate this process that would allow for experimentation with the variables of bending stiffness and intramolecular binding energies to lead to more knowledge about the mechanics of collagen formation. Eventually, tissue engineers may then use this knowledge of the optimal conditions for synthesizing collagen molecules to design tissues on the nanoscale level.