AbstractThe creation of anin vitrofunctional tendon construct will enable testing of the influence of mechanics and nutrients on the development and remodeling of tendon under known controlled stimuli which is difficult to achievein vivo. Tendon constructs were engineeredin vitrovia stress-mediated self organization of fibroblasts and ECM on a laminin coated elastomer substrate. Varying the laminin density and the amount of fetal bovine serum on the substrate affected the ability of tendon fibroblasts to form a confluent cell layer and the time to layer delamination. Understanding the factors that promote self-assembly of tendon constructs will enable their combination with already developedin vitromuscle constructs.