Stem cells are known to sense and respond to the mechanical properties of biomaterials. In
turn, cells exert forces on their environment that can lead to striking changes in shape, size
and contraction of associated tissues, and may result in mechanical disruption and
functional failure. However, no study has so far correlated stem cell phenotype and
biomaterials toughness. Indeed, disentangling toughness‐mediated cell response from
other mechanosensing processes has remained elusive as it is particularly challenging to …