  Type I collagen is the main component of the extra-cellular matrix (ECM). In
vitro, under a narrow window of physico-chemical conditions, type I collagen
self-assembles to form complex supramolecular architectures reminiscent of
those found in native ECM. Presently, a major challenge in collagen-based
biomaterials is to couple the delicate collagen fibrillogenesis events with a
controlled shaping process in non-denaturating conditions. In this work an
ice-templating approach promoting the structuration of collagen into
macroporous monoliths is used. Instead of common solvent removal procedures, a
new topotactic conversion approach yielding self-assembled ordered fibrous
materials is implemented. These collagen-only, non-cross-linked scaffolds
exhibit uncommon mechanical properties in the wet state. With the help of the
ice-patterned micro-ridge features, Normal Human Dermal Fibroblasts and C2C12
murine myoblasts successfully migrate and form highly-aligned populations
within the resulting 3D biomimetic collagen scaffolds. These results open a new
pathway to the development of new tissue engineering scaffolds ordered across
various organization levels from the molecule to the macropore, and are of
particular interest for biomedical applications where large scale 3D cell
alignment is needed such as for muscular or nerve reconstruction.
