From Embryonic Development to Adult Repair: Mechanobiology-Inspired Strategies for Tendon Regeneration

Speaker:

Catherine Kuo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Fischell Department of Biomedical Engineering, Univ. of Maryland

Department of Orthopaedics, Univ. of Maryland Medical School

Abstract:

Tendon injuries are among the most common musculoskeletal disorders, yet they often heal slowly and incompletely, leading to scar formation and long-term functional impairment. In striking contrast, embryonic and fetal tissues possess a remarkable ability to develop and heal without scarring. What if we could harness these early developmental processes to improve tendon repair in adults? In this talk, Prof. Kuo will show how insights from embryonic tendon development and mechanobiology can inform new strategies for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Her work focuses on how mechanical forces, extracellular matrix composition, and biochemical signals interact to regulate tendon formation and function across developmental stages. Using a combination of in vivo and engineered model systems, including chick embryo platforms and biomimetic culture systems that recapitulate key features of the developing tendon microenvironment, her team investigates how these cues guide cell behavior, tissue organization, and mechanical property development. By identifying key regulators of scarless healing and functional tissue formation, this work seeks to translate developmental principles into therapeutic strategies for adult tendon repair. These efforts span the development of novel biomaterials, targeted molecular interventions, and quantitative tools to assess tendon health and mechanics. Ultimately, this research bridges fundamental developmental biology with clinically relevant solutions, offering new opportunities to improve musculoskeletal health across the lifespan.

Professor Kuo Professor Kuo received her B.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering and her Ph.D. in Biomaterials from the University of Michigan. She completed her postdoctoral training at the National Institutes of Health (NIAMS), where she focused on cartilage biology and orthopaedics, and subsequently held a Visiting Scientist appointment at MIT. She then joined the University of Rochester, where she rose to Associate Professor with joint appointments in Biomedical Engineering and Orthopaedics, before being recruited to the University of Maryland in 2020, where she currently serves as Associate Chair of Research. Prof. Kuo has established an internationally recognized research program at the intersection of mechanobiology, biomaterials, and regenerative medicine. Her work has been widely recognized, including the NSF CAREER Award and election to the American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE). She is also a prominent leader in the field, serving as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine and as President-Elect of the Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine International Society (TERMIS) Americas Chapter.