Episode 11.7: Combining biology and engineering to build stronger tendons

What is the difference between tendons and ligaments? Meet Nathan Schiele (go.uidaho.edu/4bXeg80), associate professor of chemical and biological engineering (go.uidaho.edu/4tz9MKB) at University of Idaho — and a researcher engineering the future of tendon repair. Schiele is applying his engineering mindset to the construction of a human tendon. He describes how his lab and team of students are investigating what gives tendons their strength, how to grow tendon-like tissue from mouse stem cells and how to image tendons. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at [email protected]. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Power in You” by Matthew Cropper (go.uidaho.edu/3QsA4zS) via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (0:00) What’s the difference between tendons and ligaments? (3:01) Getting to know Nathan Schiele (5:22) Tendons don’t heal well (9:45) Ingredients of a strong tendon (14:39) Building mouse tendon-like structures (18:47) Imaging a tendon (22:49) Undergraduate research (24:28) Final thoughts