Collagen fibril forming in vitro

A collagen fibril forming in a test tube from a solution of purified collagen protein. The new molecules arrange themselves at the tip of the fibril in a very organised way. The result of the precise alignment of the individual collagen molecules is the typical pattern of light and dark bands across the fibril. This self-assembly is a naturally occurring process like those exploited in various forms of nanotechnology. Collagen forms the basis of a lot of the connective tissue in the body and is becoming increasingly popular as a cosmetic treatment for filling out wrinkles, lips and old scars. Biomedical Image Awards 2006.