[7] Characterization of Soluble Collagens by Physical Techniques

This chapter discusses the characterization of soluble collagens by physical techniques. Primarily, it presents the theoretical description of the solution properties of asymmetric particles, using both the thermodynamic and hydrodynamic approaches. The major point of the chapter is to examine the nature of the data generated and the specific implications for the study of collagen and to suggest the methods of investigation might be selected to answer particular types of questions. The two features that make collagen distinctive are the rod-like character of the molecule and its highly self-interactive nature. Thus, the chapter presents an analysis of those methodologies of special use in the characterization of the essential parameters of rod-like molecules.