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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Studying Normal Tissue Radiation Effects using Extracellular Matrix Hydrogels
Published on: July 24, 2019
Direct Radiation Effects on the Structure and Stability of Collagen and Other Proteins
Mathieu Lalande1, Lucas Schwob2, Violaine Vizcaino1
1CIMAP Laboratory, UMR 6252, CEA/, CNRS/, ENSICAEN/, Université de Caen Normandie), Boulevard Becquerel, 14070, Caen, France.
Abstract:
In this review, recent progress in understanding the direct effects of radiation on the structure and stability of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, and other proteins is surveyed. Special emphasis is placed on the triple-helical structure of collagen, as studied by means of collagen mimetic peptides. The emerging patterns are the dose dependence of radiation processes and their abundance, the crucial role of radicals in covalent-bond formation (crosslinking) or cleavage, and the influence of the radiation energy and nature. Future research should allow fundamental questions, such as charge transfer and fragmentation dynamics triggered by ionization, to be answered, as well as developing applications such as protein-based biomaterials, notably with properties controlled by irradiation.
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