%0 Journal Article %A Liu, Yang %A Williams, David %D 2009 %T Processing of collagen gels to create in vitro cell growth matrix without damage to the collagen native structure %U https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/articles/journal_contribution/Processing_of_collagen_gels_to_create_in_vitro_cell_growth_matrix_without_damage_to_the_collagen_native_structure/9562592 %2 https://repository.lboro.ac.uk/ndownloader/files/17194763 %K Cell culture matrix %K Collagen %K Gel %K Tissue engineering %K Mechanical Engineering not elsewhere classified %K Mechanical Engineering %X This preliminary work explores a technique for processing collagen gels to provide a structured matrix support for cell growth and other tissue engineering applications without using cyto-toxic photo-initiators. Collagen gels can be structured by techniques similar to those of rapid manufacturing and retain the fibril structure of native collagen. Incorporation of alpha-modified minimal essential medium (MEM) in the collagen solution improved the rate of gelation in a cell-friendly way. Local gelation of a collagen solution formulated with alpha-modified MEM can be achieved by exposure to radiation from a remote incandescent lamp source indicating that it may be possible to prepare structured gels by lithographically based rapid manufacturing processes. Exposure of the alpha-modified MEM collagen solution to the radiation also increased the thickness of the collagen fibrils formed during the gelation process to create a more structured gel. Methyl blue staining, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments confirmed the collagen was not denatured, i.e. the native structure of collagen was retained. %I Loughborough University