Fig 1.

(a) Graphical summary of the experimental design to characterize substrate and culture effects on hNPC fate and mechanics. Post-priming on TCPS for 3 days, hNPCs were cultured on various substrates (TCPS, G-100, G-25) for 3 or 9 days, in the presence of complete medium (GF+) or maintenance medium (GF-). Changes in cell phenotype (differentiation) and biomechanical characteristics were assessed at regular intervals. (b) Young’s moduli values obtained from the force-indentation curves generated from at least 30 random locations on each gel specimen. Data was represented as average ± SD. * denotes p< 0.01. (c) Representative SEM images of the G-25, G-50, G-75, and G-100 gels, showing fenestrated 3D scaffold nature of these gels with significant porosity and pore-size. All images were at 250× magnification. Scale bar: 100 μm.