Light-controlled hydrogel mimics soft human tissue for more realistic cell studies

For decades, lab-grown cells have been studied in materials that don't reflect the softness and flexibility of human tissue. Now researchers at the University of Colorado Boulder have developed a water-rich, Jell-O-like material that more closely mimics how real tissues move, stretch and relax; and whose liquid or solid state can be precisely controlled by light. The work was recently published in the journal Matter and was directed by Distinguished Professor Kristi Anseth.