1. Introduction to cell–hydrogel mechanosensing by Mark Ahearne Interface Focus Volume 4(2):20130038 April 6, 2014 ©2014 by The Royal Society

2. Examples of cell-seeded hydrogels that have been under investigation to engineer tissues and organs. Mark Ahearne Interface Focus 2014;4:20130038 ©2014 by The Royal Society

3. Chemical structure of (a) the natural polymers agarose, alginate (showing one β-d-mannuronic acid and one α-l-guluronic acid unit), chitosan and hyaluronic acid and (b) the synthetic polymer poly(ethylene glycol) and two of its derivatives (poly(ethylene gl... Mark Ahearne Interface Focus 2014;4:20130038 ©2014 by The Royal Society

4. Images of fibroblasts in (a) collagen and (b) agarose hydrogels stained using phalloidin-TRITC and recorded using a fluorescent microscope. Mark Ahearne Interface Focus 2014;4:20130038 ©2014 by The Royal Society

5. Schematic of the contraction process in a cell-seeded hydrogel: (a) cells are embedded in a hydrogel matrix, (b) cells elongate and adhere to fibres, (c) cells pull fibres causing them to buckle, (d) cells release and reattach to new fibres resulting in con... Mark Ahearne Interface Focus 2014;4:20130038 ©2014 by The Royal Society

6. Schematic of different methods of applying force to cells in hydrogels: (a) no force, (b) tensile, (c) compression, (d) hydrostatic pressure and (e) fluid flow. Mark Ahearne Interface Focus 2014;4:20130038 ©2014 by The Royal Society