The stiffness of the microenvironment has a significant influence on stem cell differentiation as show by Bioengineers at te University of California, San Diego. Stem cells grown in a hydrogel or on stiff materials very become bone-like-cells, whereas the usage of soft materials will direct stem cells neural or fat cells.
For more information please check out Adam Engler´s paper at http://www.nature.com/nmat/journal/vaop/ncurrent/full/nmat4051.html
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