Direct radiation effects on the structure and stability of collagen and other proteins

In this review, we survey recent progress aiming at understanding the direct effects of radiation on the structure and stability of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, and other proteins. Special emphasis is put on the triple helical structure of collagen as studied by means of collagen mimetic peptides. The emerging patterns are the dose-dependence of radiation processes and their abundance, the crucial role of radicals in covalent bond formation (cross-linking) or cleavage, and the influence of the radiation energy and nature. Future research should allow answering fundamental questions such as charge transfer and fragmentation dynamics triggered by ionization, but also developing applications like protein-based biomaterials, notably with properties controlled by irradiation.