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

Polymer Classification: Architecture01:14

Polymer Classification: Architecture

2.8K
Polymers are classified as linear or branched on the basis of their chain architecture. The polymer chains in linear polymers have a long chain-like structure with minimal to no branching at all. Even if a polymer features large substituent groups on the monomer, which appear as branches to the skeleton, it is not considered a branched polymer. A branched polymer contains secondary polymer chains that arise from the main polymer chain. The branching occurs when the polymer growth shifts from...
2.8K
Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism01:04

Anionic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.1K
The mechanism for anionic chain-growth polymerization involves initiation, propagation, and termination steps. In the initiation step, a nucleophilic anion, such as butyl lithium, initiates the polymerization process by attacking the π bond of the vinylic monomer. As a result, a carbanion, stabilized by the electron‐withdrawing group, is generated. The resulting carbanion acts as a Michael donor in the propagation step and attacks the second vinylic monomer, which acts as a Michael...
2.1K
Polymer Classification: Crystallinity01:21

Polymer Classification: Crystallinity

3.0K
Unlike ionic or small covalent molecules, polymers do not form crystalline solids due to the diffusion limitations of their long-chain structures. However, polymers contain microscopic crystalline domains separated by amorphous domains.
Crystalline domains are the regions where polymer chains are aligned in an orderly manner and held together in proximity by intermolecular forces. For example, chains in the crystalline domains of polyethylene and nylon are bound together by van der Waals...
3.0K
Polymers02:34

Polymers

36.2K
The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the...
36.2K
Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism00:57

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

2.4K
The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the...
2.4K
Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina01:05

Type IV Collagen of Basal Lamina

2.3K
Type IV collagen is a 400 nm long, network-forming collagen that acts as a barrier between the epithelial and endothelial cells. Type IV collagen  forms the backbone of the basement membrane by scaffolding with laminin, entactin, proteoglycans, and fibronectin. Apart from rendering structural support to the basement membrane, it also helps entail signaling potentials necessary for both pathological and physiological functions.
A type IV collagen molecule has six alpha chains which can...
2.3K

You might also read

Related Articles

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

Sort by
Same author

Structural architecture of collagen and collagen-fibronectin networks is associated with the invasive behavior of liver cancer cells.

Cellular oncology (Dordrecht, Netherlands)·2026
Same author

Organotypic Culture of Adult Vascularized Porcine Retina Explants In Vitro on Nanotube Scaffolds.

Biological procedures online·2025
Same author

"Inverse" shape memory effect in energetic electron crosslinked methylcellulose hydrogels: Programming, demonstration and quantification.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2024
Same author

Electron Beam-Modified Collagen Type I Fibers: Synthesis and Characterization of Mechanical Response.

ACS biomaterials science & engineering·2024
Same author

Changes in Tissue Fluidity Predict Tumor Aggressiveness In Vivo.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2023
Same author

Rapid prototyping of microfluidic chips enabling controlled biotechnology applications in microspace.

Current opinion in biotechnology·2023

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
08:12

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.4K

Structural Breakdown of Collagen Type I Elastin Blend Polymerization.

Nils Wilharm1,2, Tony Fischer3, Alexander Hayn3,4

  • 1Leibniz-Institut für Oberflächenmodifizierung e.V. (IOM), Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.

Polymers
|October 27, 2022
PubMed
Summary

This study reveals how elastin fibers integrate into collagen networks, enhancing polymerization rates. Elastin incorporation is homogeneous, impacting material properties without altering structural metrics like pore size.

Keywords:
collagenelastinfiber formationpolymerization

More Related Videos

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen
07:54

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen

Published on: September 20, 2012

13.9K
Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers for Brillouin Spectroscopy
07:19

Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers for Brillouin Spectroscopy

Published on: September 15, 2016

10.5K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Aug 23, 2025

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers
08:12

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

3.4K
In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen
07:54

In vitro Synthesis of Native, Fibrous Long Spacing and Segmental Long Spacing Collagen

Published on: September 20, 2012

13.9K
Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers for Brillouin Spectroscopy
07:19

Preparation of Extracellular Matrix Protein Fibers for Brillouin Spectroscopy

Published on: September 15, 2016

10.5K

Area of Science:

  • Biomaterials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Tissue Engineering

Background:

  • Biopolymer blends offer enhanced properties beyond individual components.
  • Collagen-elastin hybrid gels leverage elastin's unique thermo-switching behavior.
  • Understanding fiber interactions during polymerization is crucial for material development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the interaction between type I collagen and bovine neck ligament elastin during gel polymerization.
  • To determine how varying elastin concentrations affect the polymerization process and final gel structure.
  • To elucidate the mechanism of elastin incorporation into collagen networks.

Main Methods:

  • Plate reader assays to measure polymerization kinetics.
  • Zeta potential measurements to assess particle interactions.
  • Laser scanning microscopy (LSM) for visualizing fiber network structure.

Main Results:

  • Elastin fibers bind laterally to collagen fibers.
  • Elastin concentration influences polymerization rate, with maximal increase at intermediate concentrations.
  • Structural metrics (pore size, fiber thickness, 2D anisotropy) remain largely unchanged by elastin addition.

Conclusions:

  • Elastin is homogeneously incorporated into collagen fibers.
  • The observed polymerization kinetics are concentration-dependent.
  • Elastin's lateral binding mechanism influences hybrid gel formation without significant structural alteration.