Soft tissues with load-bearing function such as meniscus, articular cartilage and intervertebral discs (IVD) have the capability of sustaining compressive loads many times higher than body weight. A single IVD can sustain a pressure of 2.3 MPa whilst carrying load1, articular cartilage exhibits a compressive modulus of 10.6 MPa2 and meniscus can bear 45–75% of the total knee joint load, which can range from 2.7 to 4.9 times the body weight3. Due to their avascular nature, they are difficult to repair4. Understanding the structure-function relationships of meniscal tissue is crucial in developing implants to repair, preserve or improve tissue functions. Using a novel testing and multi-modal imaging setup, mathematical modelling and simulation, we will investigate what are the most important features at different length scales underlying the biomechanical behaviour of native meniscal tissue and how can the response of tissue to a range of physiological loadings be predicted and mimicked in an implant. Answering these questions opens the route to designing biomaterials to repair or partially replace damaged tissue by adapting to the anatomic shape of the defect or tear.