Collagen hydrogels are among​ the most well-studied platforms for drug delivery and in situ
tissue engineering, thanks to their low cost, low immunogenicity, versatility, biocompatibility …

As a major component of the human body, the extracellular matrix (ECM) is a complex
biopolymer network. The ECM not only hosts a plethora of biochemical interactions but also …

Abstract Three-dimensional (3D) microfibrillar network represents an important structural
design for various natural tissues and synthetic aerogels. Despite extensive efforts …

Develo** microscale sensors capable of force measurements down to the scale of
piconewtons is of fundamental importance for a wide range of applications. To date …

Stem cells mechanosense the stiffness of their microenvironment, which impacts
differentiation. Although tissue hydration anti-correlates with stiffness, extracellular matrix …

Animal cells in tissues are supported by biopolymer matrices, which typically exhibit highly
nonlinear mechanical properties. While the linear elasticity of the matrix can significantly …

Collagen forms fibrous networks that reinforce tissues and provide an extracellular matrix for
cells. These networks exhibit remarkable strain-stiffening properties that tailor the …

The cells and tissues that make up our body manage contradictory mechanical demands. It
is crucial for their survival to be able to withstand large mechanical loads, but it is equally …

Cells in the body reside within the extracellular matrix (ECM), a three-dimensional
environment that not only provides structural support for the cells, but also influences cellular …

Load‐bearing soft tissues, eg, cartilage, ligaments, and blood vessels, are made
predominantly from water (65–90%) which is essential for nutrient transport to cells. Yet, they …