We implement a strategy to embed dermal fibroblasts in collagen in contact with anisotropic hydrogel fibers. These fibroblasts generate traction forces and remodel the collagen matrix following the alignment cues of the hydrogel template. This order is transferred to the fibroblasts, inducing collective alignment. Cell alignment generates internally driven, oriented forces that ultimately lead to programmed 2D and 3D shape changes of the cell-laden collagen matrices - such as transforming from square to diamond or from flat to dome. Our approach provides insights into the role of topological defects in morphogenesis and advance new techniques for developing shape morphing materials with programmable forces.
https://advanced.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202416624