Collagen is the glue that holds bodies together. It can be found in skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, ligaments, hair, nails-in short, in almost every tissue. In some tissues like the skin, collagen proteins form fibrous networks that are very elastic. But why these networks are so elastic has so far been unclear. Researchers from Delft University of Technology, AMOLF and Wageningen University & Research have now discovered that the number of fiber `intersections` plays an important role. Between three and four fiber connections per intersection is ideal. In fact, more connections make the collagen networks less elastic. The new insights can be used to repair damaged or aged tissue, such as cartilage or skin, and to grow new skin tissue for burn victims.
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