TypeXI collagen fibrils forming in vitro

Transmission electron micrograph of typeXI collagen fibrils forming in vitro from a solution of the collagen protein purified from chondrosarcoma tissue. Fine filamentous fibrils of various diameters can be seen and these initial assemblies can go on and aggregate into larger banded structures. The larger fibrils have a diameter of about 20-25 nanometres.