Gradients of soluble factors are known to drive key cellular processes such as migration.  Establishing a soluble gradient can be done with microfluidics, but is a finicky process – accidental bumps can destroy a carefully-formed gradient.  If this is challenging to do under controlled conditions, how do gradients form in the chaos of the human body?  Using common microfabrication tools, Tai developed an ultra-simple 3D migration assay to probe this question in naturally-occuring hydrogel matrices. We then experimentally demonstrated that migration of cancer cells may be driven by gradients that self-assemble as a result of vastly increased binding interactions in ‘sticky’ 3D hydrogels.  So not only do 3D environments influence cell function directly, they also shape the signals provided to the cells themselves, adding a new level of complexity to 3D studies of biological systems.  For more information, see the full paper here, or on our Publications page.