4/4 – Catherine Kuo, University of Maryland – College Park
Biomedical Engineering Seminar
April 4, 2025
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location
BME Seminar in SEO 236
Address
851 S Morgan St, Chicago, IL 60607
Calendar
Download iCal FileSpeaker:
Catherine K. Kuo, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Associate Chair of Research
Fischell Department of Bioengineering
University of Maryland, College Park, MD
Title: Therapeutic Design Based on Embryonic Tendon Material Property Development
Abstract:
Tendons transfer forces from muscles to bones to enable skeletal movement. To perform their physically demanding roles, tendons must possess robust material properties. Unfortunately, adult tendons are highly susceptible to injuries and lack the ability to regenerate, instead healing as fibrotic scar tissue with abnormal extracellular matrix and mechanical properties. Tendon material properties are also significantly compromised in musculoskeletal birth deformities and connective tissue disorders. Each of these conditions poses significant clinical challenges because there are no treatments to restore native tendon material properties and function, often leading to pain, work disability, poor quality of life, and high risk of reinjury. The Kuo Laboratory is dedicated to discovering key mechanobiological mechanisms of natural tendon tissue formation and using this knowledge to inform tendon regenerative medicine strategies. Our research integrates materials science, mechanobiology, and developmental biology to elucidate mechanisms of embryonic tissue formation and is using this information to develop therapeutic approaches to enhance tendon healing and regeneration. Our novel approaches and tools to characterize the material properties of small and delicate embryonic/fetal tissues have led to novel findings that have advanced the field’s understanding of how tendons develop their functional properties during tissue formation. This talk will highlight our exciting results that have led to the identification of therapeutic candidates and discuss implications for future translational directions for treatments of adult tendon injuries and diseases as well as developmental abnormalities.
Date posted
Jan 13, 2025
Date updated
Mar 15, 2025