Collagen is an insoluble fibrous protein that composes the extracellular matrix in animals. Although collagen has been used as a biomaterial since 1881, the properties and the complex structure of collagen are still extensive study subjects worldwide. In this article, several topics of importance for understanding collagen research are reviewed starting from its historical milestones, followed by the description of the collagen superfamily and its complex structures, with a focus on type I collagen. Subsequently, some of the superior properties of collagen-based biomaterials, such as biocompatibility, biodegradability, mechanical properties, and cell activities, are pinpointed. These properties make collagen applicable in biomedicine, such as wound healing, tissue engineering, surface coating of medical devices, and skin supplementation. Moreover, some antimicrobial strategies and the general host tissue responses regarding collagen as a biomaterial are presented. Finally, the current status and clinical application of the three-dimensional (3D) printing techniques for the fabrication of collagen-based scaffolds and the reconstruction of the human heart's constituents, such as capillary structures or even the entire organ, are discussed. Besides, an overall outlook for the future of this unique biomaterial is provided.

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用于生物医学应用的基于胶原蛋白的生物材料

胶原蛋白是一种不溶性纤维蛋白，构成动物的细胞外基质。尽管自 1881 年以来胶原蛋白已被用作生物材料，但胶原蛋白的特性和复杂结构仍然是世界范围内广泛的研究课题。在本文中，从历史里程碑开始回顾了了解胶原蛋白研究的几个重要主题，然后描述了胶原蛋白超家族及其复杂结构，重点是 I 型胶原蛋白。随后，基于胶原蛋白的生物材料的一些优越性能，如生物相容性、生物降解性、机械性能和细胞活性等被精确定位。这些特性使胶原蛋白适用于生物医学，例如伤口愈合、组织工程、医疗器械的表面涂层和皮肤补充。而且，介绍了一些抗菌策略和关于胶原蛋白作为生物材料的一般宿主组织反应。最后，讨论了三维 (3D) 打印技术在制造基于胶原的支架和重建人体心脏成分（如毛细血管结构甚至整个器官）方面的现状和临床应用。此外，还提供了对这种独特生物材料未来的总体展望。例如毛细血管结构甚至整个器官，都进行了讨论。此外，还提供了对这种独特生物材料未来的总体展望。例如毛细血管结构甚至整个器官，都进行了讨论。此外，还提供了对这种独特生物材料未来的总体展望。