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Stem cell differentiation

Sticky mechanical memory

Physical cues from the extracellular environment influence the lineage commitment of stem cells. Now, experiments on human mesenchymal stem cells cultured on photodegradable hydrogels show that the cells' fate can also be determined by past physical environments.

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Figure 1: Mechanical memory influences the fate of human mesenchymal stem cells4.

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Correspondence to Christopher S. Chen.

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Eyckmans, J., Chen, C. Sticky mechanical memory. Nature Mater 13, 542–543 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/nmat3989

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