Preface

Collagen is a ubiquitous protein, present in most tissues and a major contributor to their underlying architecture. Recent advances in molecular and structural biology have contributed to a better understanding of the structure and function of collagen. Collagen biomaterial is frequently employed for various applications such as a medium for delivery of drugs and genes, scaffold to support the growth of tissues, and much more. *Collagen Biomaterials* highlights some of the remarkable properties of collagen that make it one of the most widely studied and used biomaterials. With the advent of tissue engineering techniques, there has been a significant increase in the research interest in the development of novel applications of collagen as a biomaterial. The preference for collagen as biomaterials is also fueled by the fact that it is readily accessible, biocompatible with the human body, extremely malleable to one's requirements, and more importantly, biodegradable. Translational research on the various applications of collagen as a biomaterial is extremely important due to the diversity of roles that collagen and its various molecular types play in the body. Collagen is a major component of the extracellular matrix (ECM) of tissues and contributes to the stability, support, and growth of the tissue. Although there have been numerous books on collagen describing its structure, synthesis, and other properties, there have been only a few books that discuss collagen as a biomaterial. The current volume elucidates the various applications collagen biomaterials have found in the fields of medicine and tissue engineering.

*Collagen Biomaterials* is a collection of chapters that explore the various aspects of collagen that make it desirable as a biomaterial scaffold, its various applications, and the scope for further research. Chapter 1 by Silvestrini et al. discusses the involvement of collagen in health, disease, and medicine. The chapter elucidates the role of collagen in many functions of the body. The authors discuss the metabolism of collagen, factors affecting it, the disorders related to collagen deficiency, and its impact on the general health of individuals. Chapter 2 by Periasamy Srinivasan and Dar-Jen Hsieh discusses and compares the role of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction technology in the production of collagen scaffold biomaterials from various tissues and organs with the traditional decellularization techniques used in the production of collagen biomaterials, in the field of tissue engineering, and its implication in the field of regenerative medicine. The authors also elucidate the physicochemical properties, toxicity, biocompatibility, and bioactivity both in vitro and in vivo of the collagen scaffolds that are produced using carbon dioxide extraction technology. Chapter 3 by Makkithaya et al. discusses the application of collagen biomaterials for wound healing. The authors also elucidate the production of collagen in amalgamation with nanoparticles and its advantages for wound healing. The chapter also briefly describes the various applications of nano collagen in the biomedical field for wound healing. Chapter 4 by Bozsik et al. analyzes the various features of freeze-dried human collagen membranes consisting of cortical bone (SoftBone=SB) and folded platelet-rich fibrin (F-PRF) membranes after thermal modification and freeze-drying. The authors also compare the resistance properties

shown by collagen and PRF membranes. Detailed knowledge of the properties of collagen and PRF membranes is important during guided bone regeneration surgeries in dentistry. Chapter 5 by Amit Kumar Verma discusses the various methods of crosslinking collagen polymers and their implications in the field of pharmacology. The chapter also discusses the various formulations of collagen biomaterials that are used as a vehicle for the delivery of drugs. Chapter 6 by Ghosh et al. elucidates the application of 3D printing technologies to create collagen scaffolds. The authors discuss the various ways in which collagen in combination with other materials such as oxidized hyaluronic acid, bioinks, heparin sulfate, and many others can be used as scaffolds and implants in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. The development of biomaterials with collagen as a structural protein is known to be beneficial in terms of the bioactivity and biocompatibility of said biomaterial because collagen is the structural component in the ECM of most tissues in the human body. Chapter 7 by Yunoki et al. elucidates the various mechanical methods employed for the fabrication of such biomaterials in considerable detail. The authors also summarize other well-known methods for producing collagen biomaterials.

The authors' contributions to this book as well as their timely responses to the reviewers' comments are greatly appreciated. We appreciate the reviewers for investing their time to make constructive suggestions and recommendations on the chapters, which helped us to improve the quality of content in the book. We also acknowledge the support and suggestions received from our colleagues. Our special thanks to Josip Knapić at IntechOpen for his contributions to the book. Most importantly, we wish our readers a pleasant and productive reading experience.

#### **Nirmal Mazumder**

Department of Biophysics, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

#### **Sanjiban Chakrabarty**

**1**

Section 1

Health

Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Manipal School of Life Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, India

Section 1 Health

## **Chapter 1**
