Wed Jun 11 02:30:45 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article suitable for a broader audience:

**Summary:**

Scientists at IIT Bombay have discovered that cells can sense and respond to mechanical patterns in their environment, specifically tensions or pre-strains created by embedded objects in soft materials. This research, published in *Cell Reports Physical Science*, demonstrates that cells orient themselves according to these invisible force patterns, not just chemical signals. By embedding rigid objects in soft hydrogels, the researchers created pre-strain gradients, and observed cells aligning radially around these inhomogeneities. The alignment was dependent on the softness of the surrounding material and the forces exerted by the cells themselves. This finding has implications for tissue engineering, cancer research, and regenerative medicine, potentially allowing for manipulation of cell organization through material properties rather than solely relying on chemical cues. Computer simulations confirmed the experimental observations.

**News Article:**

**Cells ‘See’ Invisible Forces, Rewriting Our Understanding of Tissue Formation**

**Mumbai, June 11, 2025** – In a groundbreaking discovery, scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay have revealed that cells possess a remarkable ability to “sense” and respond to subtle mechanical forces in their environment. This finding challenges the long-held belief that cell organization relies primarily on chemical signals, opening new avenues for advancements in medicine and bioengineering.

The research, published in *Cell Reports Physical Science*, details how cells align themselves according to invisible patterns of tension within surrounding tissue. The team, led by Professor Abhijit Majumder, created a unique experimental setup by embedding tiny, rigid beads within a soft, gel-like material. This mimicked the way tissues naturally develop internal stresses during processes like growth, injury, or tumor formation.

“We’ve shown that cells can detect and respond to these ‘pre-strain’ gradients, aligning themselves along lines of force,” explains Dr. Akshada Khadpekar, lead author of the study. “It’s like the cells can ‘see’ where the material is stretching and orient themselves accordingly.”

Importantly, the study found that this alignment was dependent on the softness of the surrounding material. Harder materials masked the effect, confirming that the cell response was directly linked to the ability to sense mechanical stress. Computer simulations by Professor Parag Tandaiya corroborated the experimental findings, providing a deeper understanding of the forces at play.

The implications of this research are far-reaching. In tissue engineering, the findings suggest that scientists may be able to guide cell organization simply by shaping the mechanical properties of materials, eliminating the need for complex chemical stimulation. Understanding how cells respond to the stiffness of tumors could also provide new insights into cancer development and spread. Furthermore, the ability to manipulate cell patterns through material properties may revolutionize regenerative medicine, offering new strategies for repairing damaged tissues and organs.

“This discovery has the potential to transform how we approach tissue engineering, cancer treatment, and regenerative medicine,” says Professor Majumder. “By understanding how cells respond to these subtle mechanical cues, we can develop new and innovative ways to promote healing and improve human health.”

This research was supported by [Funding Sources, if available in original article – if not, can omit].

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