Mechanically programming anisotropy in engineered muscle with actuating extracellular matrices

The hierarchical design and adaptive functionalities of biological tissues are driven by dynamic biochemical, electrical, and mechanical signaling between cells and their extracellular matrices. While existing tools enable monitoring and controlling biochemical and electrical signaling in multicellular systems, there is a significant need for techniques that enable mapping and modulating intercellular mechanical signaling. We have developed a magnetically actuated extracellular matrix that serves as a mechanically active substrate for cells and can program morphological and functional anisotropy in tissues such as skeletal muscle. This method improves the ease and efficiency of programming muscle force directionality and synchronicity for applications ranging from medicine to robotics. Additionally, we present an open-source computational framework enabling quantitative analyses of muscle contractility. Our actuating matrices and accompanying tools are broadly applicable across cell types and hydrogel chemistries, and they can drive fundamental studies in mechanobiology as well as translational applications of engineered tissues in medicine and machines.