Composites comprising collagen extracted from
Isolated composites are disclosed comprising collagen fibers isolated from a Sarcophyton sp. coral. An exemplary composite comprises as a first component a bundle of collagen fibers, the collagen fibers being isolated from a Sarcophyton sp. coral, and a second component selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a polypeptide, polylipid, a synthetic polymer, a metal and a mineral, wherein the bundle of collagen fibers comprise woven fibers, twisted fibers, braided fibers, knitted fibers, tied fibers, or sutured fibers. Uses thereof and method of generating are also disclosed.
1. An isolated composite comprising bundles of collagen fibers embedded in a matrix, said collagen fibers being isolated from a Sarcophyton sp. coral, and said matrix comprising a material selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a polypeptide, polylipid, a synthetic polymer, a metal and a mineral, wherein said bundle of collagen fibers comprise woven fibers, twisted fibers, braided fibers, knitted fibers, tied fibers, or sutured fibers.
2. A wire composed of the composite of claim 1 .
3. The composite of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of said first component and a portion of said second component are crosslinked.
4. A method of generating the collagen composite of claim 1 , comprising:
(a) manipulating said collagen fibers of said Sarcophyton sp. coral to generate a bundle of collagen fibers; and
(b) contacting said bundle of collagen fibers with said second component, thereby generating the collagen composite of claim 1 .
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein said manipulating is selected from the group consisting of weaving, twisting, braiding, knitting, tying and suturing.
6. The method of claim 4 , further comprising crosslinking said composite following said contacting.
7. The method of claim 4 , further comprising freeze-drying said composite following said contacting.
8. An implantable device comprising the composite of claim 1 .