The extracellular matrix (ECM) plays a key role as both structural scaffold and regulator of
cell signal transduction in tissues. In times of ECM assembly and turnover, cells upregulate …

Fibronectin is an extracellular matrix protein that is present during periods of change within
tissues. It is upregulated and necessary in a number of developmental contexts, and it is …

To investigate how substrate properties influence stem-cell fate, we cultured single human
epidermal stem cells on polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel …

Recent progress in the design and application of artificial cellular microenvironments and
nanoenvironments has revealed the extraordinary ability of cells to adjust their cytoskeletal …

Despite the crucial role of extracellular matrix (ECM) in directing cell fate in healthy and
diseased tissues—particularly in development, wound healing, tissue regeneration and …

Cells need to be anchored to extracellular matrix (ECM) to survive, yet the role of ECM in
guiding developmental processes, tissue homeostasis, and aging has long been …

Extensive studies have shown that cells can sense and modulate the biomechanical
properties of the ECM within their resident microenvironment. Thus, targeting the …

Rather than maximizing toughness, as needed for silk and muscle titin fibers to withstand
external impact, the much softer extracellular matrix fibers made from fibronectin (Fn) can be …

Myofibroblasts orchestrate wound healing processes, and if they remain activated, they drive
disease progression such as fibrosis and cancer. Besides growth factor signaling, the local …

Highlights•Mechanical properties of the extracellular matrix (ECM) regulate cell fate
decisions.•Protein gels mimic in vivo ECM.•Synthetic gels allow for the isolation of …