Supercomputers Calculate Structure Of Bones On The Molecular Level
Molecular Look This illustration shows a molecule of collagen (top) next to a molecule of a crystal of hydroxyapatite (bottom). Image courtesy of the researchersBone fibers contain an odd couple of gooey protein and crystallized mineral. Like the best of statesmen, bone is both strong and a little bit flexible. That's because it combines a soft, gel-like substance (collagen) with a stiff, strong one (mineral hydroxyapatite). Now, one team of engineers say they've figured out that balancing act in detail, elucidating how the molecular structure of bone fibers help them take advantage of the best of both worlds. Fibers of collagen, strengthened with hydroxyapatite crystals, are the basic building blocks of bone. They're found in many different animal species, and they show up in skeleton bone, teeth and antlers. Using a supercomputer, engineers from MIT calculated what those fibers look like at a nearly atomic level. They compared their fibers with...