Luciferase gene expression for cells seeded on and inside of DNA/PEI loaded hydrogels. mMSCs were plated on top (A) or inside (B, C) of MMP degradable PEG hydrogels. Initial cell densities were 8,000 cells for cells plated on top (A) of the gel, 150,000/100μL of gel for cells seeded inside the gel as single cells (B) and 5,000/cluster/30μL gel for cells seeded inside the gel as clusters (C). Luciferase activity was measured after hydrogel degradation at the time points shown. The data is plotted as a mean ± standard deviation. The symbol ** represents statistical significance to the level of p < 0.001 using the Tukey multiple comparisons test.