SELF-ASSEMBLY OF RODLIKE PARTICLES IN 2 DIMENSIONS - A SIMPLE-MODEL FOR COLLAGEN FIBRILLOGENESIS

A model has been developed to study the aggregation of rodlike particl es in two dimensions using diffusion-limited aggregation. The model wa s also extended to examine the aggregation of rods, with binding rules similar to those seen with collagen molecules. The model showed that the aggregates that were formed from the rods had an elongated, fibril lar structure. When the ways in which the rods could adhere to each ot her were restricted, to model the interactions observed in collagen, a preference for short overlaps between the particles in the aggregate was observed, reflecting the predilection for tip growth in diffusion- limited aggregation. Small changes in the rules of aggregation were fo und to have a marked effect on the resultant aggregate morphology.