Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Structural Protein Function01:56

Structural Protein Function

Structural proteins are a category of proteins responsible for functions ranging from cell shape and movement to providing support to major structures such as bones, cartilage, hair, and muscles. This group includes proteins such as collagen, actin, myosin, and keratin.
Collagen, the most abundant protein in mammals, is found throughout the body. In connective tissue, such as skin, ligaments, and tendons, it provides tensile strength and elasticity.  In bones and teeth, it mineralizes to form...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces01:13

Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces

In animal cells, the extracellular matrix allows cells within tissues to withstand external stresses and transmits signals from the outside of the cell to the inside. The extracellular matrix is extensive, and its composition varies between different types of tissues. For example, the reticular fibers and ground substance make up the ECM in loose connective tissue, while collagen and bone minerals make up the ECM of bone tissue. 
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Cell-Extracellular Matrix Feedback Results in Spontaneous Cell Polarization and Heterogeneous Remodeling in 3D Isotropic and Aligned Discrete-Fiber Models of Cell-Mediated Remodeling.

Cellular and molecular bioengineering·2026
Same author

Multiscale modeling of vascular adaptation: methodological advances and open challenges.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same author

Geometric and mechanical changes along the length of the porcine aorta.

Journal of biomechanics·2026
Same author

Alterations in ascending aortic hemodynamics and aortic length correlate with sex-specific thoracic aortic aneurysm dilation and lifespan in a mouse model of severe Marfan syndrome.

Computers in biology and medicine·2026
Same author

Benchtop Pulse Wave Velocity Measurement From Spatial Wavelength Rather Than Pulse Arrival Time: Feasibility Studies.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026
Same author

Feasibility of Zero-Dimensional-Model-Based Pulse Waveform Analysis as a Tool to Detect Ascending Thoracic Aortic Aneurysm Growth.

Journal of biomechanical engineering·2026

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Microengineering 3D Collagen Hydrogels with Long-Range Fiber Alignment
07:12

Microengineering 3D Collagen Hydrogels with Long-Range Fiber Alignment

Published on: September 7, 2022

Microscale fiber network alignment affects macroscale failure behavior in simulated collagen tissue analogs.

Mohammad F Hadi1, Victor H Barocas

  • 1Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 312 Church Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA. hadix004@umn.edu

Journal of Biomechanical Engineering
|March 1, 2013
PubMed
Summary

Microscale fiber alignment significantly impacts soft tissue failure. Tissues with fibers aligned parallel to force fail sooner but withstand more grip force, influencing tissue engineering and biomechanics.

More Related Videos

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo
10:24

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo

Published on: May 9, 2016

Production of Nanofibrillar Patterned Collagen for Tissue Engineering
07:34

Production of Nanofibrillar Patterned Collagen for Tissue Engineering

Published on: September 20, 2024

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 13, 2026

Microengineering 3D Collagen Hydrogels with Long-Range Fiber Alignment
07:12

Microengineering 3D Collagen Hydrogels with Long-Range Fiber Alignment

Published on: September 7, 2022

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo
10:24

Preparation of 3D Collagen Gels and Microchannels for the Study of 3D Interactions In Vivo

Published on: May 9, 2016

Production of Nanofibrillar Patterned Collagen for Tissue Engineering
07:34

Production of Nanofibrillar Patterned Collagen for Tissue Engineering

Published on: September 20, 2024

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Soft Tissue Biomechanics
  • Computational Modeling

Background:

  • Tissue microstructure dictates macroscale failure properties.
  • The relationship between microstructure and failure in native/engineered soft tissues is not well understood.
  • Soft tissues like ligaments and vascular grafts present complex biomechanical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To model the effect of microscale fiber alignment on macroscale damage and failure in collagenous tissues.
  • To investigate how variations in fiber orientation influence the mechanical response of engineered soft tissues.
  • To elucidate the structure-property relationships governing soft tissue failure.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a multiscale finite-element (FE) model for collagen-based materials.
  • Employed representative volume elements (RVEs) with stochastically generated type-I collagen fiber networks.
  • Varied fiber alignment within RVEs and across layers in a notched dogbone geometry under uniaxial extension.

Main Results:

  • Networks with greater fiber alignment parallel to extension failed at lower strains (6-22% reduction) but higher grip forces (28-60% increase).
  • Alternating crisscrossed fiber alignments (±45 deg) showed reduced failure strains but increased grip forces compared to single alignment types.
  • Microscale fiber alignment variations demonstrably altered macroscale failure behavior.

Conclusions:

  • Microscale fiber alignment is a critical determinant of macroscale failure in collagenous soft tissues.
  • Findings have implications for designing engineered tissues with specific mechanical properties.
  • This research advances understanding in soft tissue biomechanics and tissue engineering applications.