FIG. 3.

The stiffness of hydrogels did not significantly influence C18-4 cell proliferation. Cell proliferation rate (k) on 2D hydrogel surfaces, calculated from the increase in cell number over time, was roughly independent of the elastic modulus of the hydrogel (E). N_RGD was kept constant at 6.2 × 10⁸ RGD/mm². The calculated k values were statistically similar on gels of different stiffness, as determined with ANOVA. Values represent the mean and standard deviation from four independent measurements.