MRSEC Participant: Afton N. Ellis

MRSEC Faculty Advisor: Victor Barocas

Generation and Evaluation of 3-D Collagen Fiber Network Models

The basis of many different types of tissues is formed by collagen fiber networks. Specific examples include tendons, skin, ligaments, cartilage, and fetal membranes. Artificial collagen networks are important as potential tissue replacements. In order to repair a damaged network or create an artificial network, we must first understand the structure. We will develop a computer program to evaluate the properties of the fiber networks and compare them to actual collagen gel networks. We will generate collagen fiber network models by various algorithms and determine which models best match the actual networks. The selected model can then be used as a standard for studying the properties of tissue equivalents.