Even the simplest of injuries –a paper cut, a scraped knee– require intense “behind-the-scenes” efforts within our bodies. Cells of all kinds come together to prevent infection, stop bleeding, and patch damage, leaving these wounds nothing but a bad memory. Unfortunately, sometimes an injury is too much. Our cells are unable to fully “remember” what once was and are ill-equipped to repair the site. But what if we could help them? Just as construction workers depend on scaffolding to construct a building, I design “biomaterial scaffolds” that can inform our cells of what to build, where to build it, and how to get there. Pictured here is a close-up look at one of these materials, designed for use in tendon and bone injuries. The spindles, fibers, and branches are made of materials the body is already familiar with: collagen, minerals, and salts found naturally in tendon or bone. The shape, size, and direction of the branches and pores is also intentional, designed to closely mimic the real thing. Through these materials, designed to give our cells a foundation and guide for healing, we hope to one day heal the worst of injuries just as fully as everyday ones.