Episode 11.7: Combining biology and engineering to build stronger tendons
Nathan Schiele describes how new research is first step toward tendon injury recovery
BY Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz
Photos by Garrett Britton
April 13, 2026
Meet Nathan Schiele, associate professor of chemical and biological engineering 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.
Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu.
What is the difference between tendons and ligaments?
In this episode, Schiele explains how tendons function as the body’s force transmitters, connecting muscle to bone through highly organized collagen structures. He discusses his research that looks at the remarkable properties that allow tendons to withstand immense forces while remaining flexible — and why those same tissues struggle to heal after injury.
The conversation explores research from Schiele’s lab, including how cells produce lysyl oxidase, an enzyme critical for strengthening collagen by cross-linking fibers. By studying how chemical and mechanical cues affect these fibers, his team is learning how to guide cells to build stronger, more functional tendon tissue.
Schiele also shares new work on growing tendon-like structures in the lab through cell self-assembly that mimics early embryonic development. Alongside advances in 3D imaging and machine learning to better visualize tendon structure, this research is paving the way toward improved treatments for the millions of tendon injuries that occur each year.
Ultimately, this episode explores how engineering principles can unlock new possibilities in regenerative medicine — and how today’s lab discoveries could one day help patients fully recover from injuries that currently leave lasting limitations.
Music
“Young Republicans” by Steve Combs via freemusicarchive.org, not modified.
“Power in You” by Matthew Cropper 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