Alteration of Collagen Structure by Irradiation with Electrons

Abstract

IN endeavouring to induce shrinkage in collagen by irradiation with electrons, structural alterations in the material were determined from the low-angle X-ray diffraction patterns of samples which had been exposed in the beam of an electron accelerator. Previous experiments have shown that, when collagen is permitted to shrink hydrothermally, the average intensity of the low-angle diffraction pattern decreases with the degree to which the sample has been allowed to shrink. The elongation at which this pattern disappears is dependent upon the temperature at which the shrinkage takes place. Thus, the intensity of the low-angle diffraction pattern can be used as a means of determining the amount of structural damage brought about by electron irradiation.