Abstract: A novel interstitial collagenase is disclosed which acts as an ATP-independent molecular motor driven by the proteolysis of substrate collagen. Also disclosed is a method of reacting interstitial collagenase with a collagen fibril to encounter multiple cleavage sites without substantial dissociation of said interstitial collagenase and thereby act as a molecular motor driven by the proteolysis of substrate collagen. The invention thus is useful as a research tool in the tissue remodeling and cell-matrix interaction. The invention also has significant utility in the screening and development of inhibitors of interstitial collagenase and as a research tool for evaluating the activity and effect of drug candidates.