Session: Engineering the Tissue and Cell Microenvironment I: Promoting Functionality and Repair

The extracellular microenvironment is critical for controlling cell and tissue function. This session explores the use of engineered microenvironments in the control of stem cell differentiation, biomimetic tissue development, tissue repair and regeneration, as well as the importance of the microenvironment in disease progression. Examples may include gradient patterns, dynamic mechanical properties, spatially-localized soluble and insoluble factors, temporal signals, as well as heterotypic cell-cell interactions that contribute to the microenvironment.