PubMed · 12576020
3-dimensional imaging of collagen using second harmonic generation.
Abstract
Collagen is the most important structural protein of the animal body. Its unique triple-helix structure and extremely high level of crystallinity make it exceptionally efficient in generating the second harmonic of incident light, and we show here how this leads to a novel mode of microscopy of immediate practical significance in medicine and biology. In particular, it provides sensitive and high-resolution information on collagen distribution, discriminates between type I and type III collagen, and allows both a greater understanding of and a sensitive test for cirrhosis of the liver. Future research applications could include wound healing and hereditary collagen diseases such as osteogenesis imperfecta.
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Guy Cox, Eleanor Kable, Allan Jones, Ian Fraser, Frank Manconi, Mark D Gorrell. 2003. 3-dimensional imaging of collagen using second harmonic generation.. https://doi.org/10.1016/s1047-8477(02)00576-2
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