Direct Laser Written Cell-Cages for 3D Confinement and Mechanotransduction Studies of Mesenchymal Stromal Cells

This thesis examines how cells sense and respond to the shape of their surroundings in 3D. It uses tiny cage-like structures to control the shape of individual stem cells into squares or circles, enabling force measurements, then observes how these different shapes influence whether the cells develop into bone or fat tissue. This research helps explain how physical shape affects cell behaviour and could improve the design of materials for tissue repair and regeneration.