Abstract: A modified pro-? chain comprising a triple helix forming domain linked to at least an N-terminal domain, the N-terminal domain containing a polypeptide from at least part of a laminin glycoprotein or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. The pro-? chain may form part of a procollagen molecule that has the N-terminal domain retained. The procollagen molecule may be incorporated into collagen polymers, matrices and gels and be used for such applications as wound healing.

Abstract: A modified pro-? chain comprising a triple helix forming domain linked to at least an N-terminal domain, the N-terminal domain containing a polypeptide from at least part of a laminin glycoprotein or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. The pro-? chain may form part of a procollagen molecule that has the N-terminal domain retained. The procollagen molecule may be incorporated into collagen polymers, matrices and gels and be used for such applications as wound healing.

Abstract: A modified pro-? chain comprising a triple helix forming domain linked to a polypeptide from at least part of a laminin glycoprotein. The pro-? chain may form part of a procollagen molecule that has the N-terminal domain retained. The procollagen molecules may be incorporated into collagen polymers, matrices and gels and be used for such applications as wound healing.

Abstract: A modified pro-? chain comprising a triple helix forming domain linked to at least an N-terminal domain, the N-terminal domain containing a polypeptide from at least part of a laminin glycoprotein or secretory leukocyte protease inhibitor. The pro-? chain may form part of a procollagen molecule that has the N-terminal domain retained. The procollagen molecules may be incorporated into collagen polymers, matrices and gels and be used for such applications as wound healing.

Abstract: A method of producing a desired procolagen or derivative thereof in a system which co-expresses and assembles at least one further procollagen or derivative thereof. The gene(s) for expressing pro-? chains or derivatives thereof for assembly into the desired procollagen has or have been exogenously selected from natural pro-? chains or exogenously manipulated such as to express said pro-? chains or derivatives thereof with domains which have the activity of C-terminal propeptide domains but which will not co-assemble with the C-terminal propeptide of the pro-? chains or derivatives thereof that assemble to form the said at least one further procollagen or derivative thereof.

Abstract: There is disclosed molecules comprising at least a first moiety having the activity of a procollagen C-propeptide and a second moiety selected from any one of the group of an alien collagen &agr;-chain and non-collagen materials, the first moiety being attached to the second moiety. Also disclosed are collagen molecules, fibrils and fibres comprising a non-natural combination of collagen &agr;-chains, DNA encoding same, expression hosts transformed or transfected with same, transgenic animals and methods of producing a non-natural collagen.