Internship Reversibility and structural memory of collagen networks

The objective of this project is to gain insight in the cause and extent of the network “memory”.

Research / Job description
Collagen is the main structural protein in the mammalian body, and makes up 25% of the entire protein mass. It can be found in almost every tissue, from the skeleton to the cornea, and there are different types of collagen with different properties. The most common is type I, which is found in tissues where large forces are present, such as tendon, bone and skin. In our group we study collagen I networks in vitro, starting with tropocollagen monomers and allowing them to self-assemble.
Under certain conditions this self-assembly is reversible, and the network can be disassembled and reassembled at will. However, it is known that the disassembly process is imperfect: even though no (detectable) trace of the network remains, when it is allowed to form again, the process is different from when it was started from just monomers. It is currently believed that aggregates of monomers are responsible for this behaviour.

The objective of this project is to gain insight in the cause and extent of the network “memory”. The student will use confocal microscopy and spectrophotometry to gain insight into the properties of the collagen network after disassembly and reformation. Evidence for the existence and nature of the aggregates will be sought via (ultra)centrifugation. Manipulation of the forming network through the use of magnetic fields, with or without the presence of magnetic microbeads in the network, will be used to determine if the memory effect has a spatial component or is only kinetic. Finally, the effects of different types of covalent crosslinking on the reversibility can be studied.

The student will be encouraged to take a quantitative approach, for example to formulate a numerical way to express the “amount of structure” that is preserved in subsequent reassemblies.

About the group Biological Soft Matter

Required qualifications
You have a Bachelors degree in physics, chemistry or biology and participate in a Master study in one of these areas. You have a nationality of an EU-member state or if not, you are a student at a Netherlands University. You must be available for at least 4 months.

Terms of traineeship
At the start of the traineeship your trainee plan will be set out, in consultation with your AMOLF supervisor. A trainee contract will be established, including a small allowance.

For further information please contact:
Dr. Gijsje Koenderink
Phone: +31 (0)20-754 7100

Applications can be sent to:
FOM Institute AMOLF
Personnel dept.
Postbus 41883
1009 DB  Amsterdam
The Netherlands
trainee.applicantATamolf.nl

Please quote vacancy # 1004.37

Please annex your:
-  Resume;
-  List of followed courses plus grades.